Righto. Let’s get this straight: “For it to be a shoulder charge there must be no use of or attempted use of the arms.”
Now, please look at the snip captures from the video. Tell me where the arms are used in the tackle, or are attempted to be used.
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His right never touches Feki - even if it did it was never meant to be a part of the tackle. It flung forward when Slater's momentum was halted after their shoulders contacted.
I agree that a split second still can be misleading, so please find your own evidence from the few seconds video and put it up here so that we can all SEE what you are hoping to persuade us of.
However, please do not insult us or yourself by believing that it was a clear non-shoulder charge. If so, why did it take a highly paid silk two hours to argue what is obvious?
Further, why did it take the panel an hour to agree with what all Slater supporters believe is so clear cut?
The best the Slater defenders can say is that it was an East-West shoulder collision or bump. For someone who loves quoting the rule, please point those words in the rules. That is, where does it say E-W or N-S or 'front on' in the rules?
Further, where did any official from the NRL ever say that the rule was even intended for N-S only hits? That has just been made up for the Slater case.
The next best defence say more force came from Slater’s hip. The following doubts that interpretation as a hit to Feki centre would cause his top half to remain upright while his hip and thighs are buckled outwards. The still here is the exact opposite.
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Here, Feki’s head, shoulders/torso are clearly knocked over from the top downwards because that is where the bump first hit him with full force. He has taken the hit at a high point, resulting in him being off his feet and toppling over.
The last refuge of the scoundrel rests on the supposed lack of time Slater had to make a proper tackle. That is not so as we can see in the top still Slater has his left arm across his body (he does not run with his arms swinging side to side as my little daughter does). He is preparing to use his shoulder. Even if true, then that is bad luck – just ask any player flicking out the arm when being stepped inside and being ordered off for a stiff arm.
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This is not a defender ready to use his right arm to make first contact in a tackle. Slater has already made up his mind to stop the bigger man with his shoulder. Just think of it for a second - a right arm left shoulder tackle combo. Surely even you can see how ridiculous that is?
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Contact has still not been made, so where is this famous silver right arm – on the grassy knoll, no doubt?
So, we have no arms, no E-W BS, no hip, no no-time.
All you really have is: “He’s a champ in his last game. The fans and the ratings will love it. With that the case for the defence of William Slater rests Me Lard.”
Bang Bang of a gavel (or a Bump Bump of a gavel) “Not Guilty. Mr Slater you are free to go, and good luck with the CCM.”
Before I leave, the following quote of yours is not an argument or a valid explanation: “It’s been well documented here multiple times that Slaters arm are involved in the tackle. Therefore it cannot be a shoulder charge.”
With due respect to the contrarians, far more voices here have said it was a shoulder charge, so by your logic, “Therefore it is a shoulder charge.”
Now, you have an even nicer day.
Oh, before I forget, you may wish to read this to assist in your pleasantries:
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/slater...nd-and-just-plain-stupid-20180928-p506nm.html
