Manly medical staff identifies fresh damage to Watmough's knee after tangle with Lima
Josh Massoud News Limited Network August 20, 2013 12:00AM
While Lima accepted a one-match ban in record time on Monday, Watmough could be sidelined for even longer thanks to the dramatic incident that contributed to Manly coach Geoff Toovey’s extraordinary post-match tirade against referees.
The NRL fined Manly $10,000 for Toovey’s outburst, labelling it “excessive” and “emotional”.
But Sea Eagles officials feel they have grounds to fight the sanction, given Toovey’s anger was inspired by a foul act that could cost Manly the services of Watmough for several weeks.
Manly boss David Perry last night said club medicos had concluded that a new injury - suffered as a result of Lima’s act - forced Watmough off the pitch in the second half.
The second rower took the field following a miracle recovery from a posterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in the previous week’s win over New Zealand, only for Lima to twist the same leg just 10 minutes into the game.
Watmough was still limping yesterday and remains in doubt for Sunday’s clash against Canberra.
Sources close to Watmough have also confirmed that he was furious upon learning that Lima only received a one-week ban for the twist.
Facing a fortnight out if he unsuccessfully fought the dangerous contact charge, the Rabbitohs prop pleaded guilty within minutes of the NRL charge sheet being released to media.
The NRL waited several more hours to announce the fine against Manly, who are preparing to thrash-out the particulars with league bosses over the coming days.
"We’ll review the breach notice and wait for the referee’s report, before we decide what we are going to do," Perry said.
The impending stoush shapes as a baptism of fire for new NRL head of football Todd Greenberg, who became a despised figure at Brookvale after engineering Canterbury’s heist of Des Hasler two years ago.
Perry and Greenberg were in preliminary talks about the fine yesterday, with
Manly challenging the NRL to prove how Toovey’s comments were any worse than other coaches this season.
There’s a suspicion at Manly that Toovey was punished for his manner of expression, rather than actual criticisms, which did not call into question the integrity of any match officials.
"I accept that emotion is a big part of our game but that is not an excuse for making unwarranted attacks on match officials," Greenberg said.
"There needs to be a balance between coach’s expressing their opinions and their emotions and showing respect for the game and the match officials in that process."
In addition to Lima’s twist, Toovey also blew-up about a controversial no-try to Steve Matai and the lop-sided 10-5 penalty count.
He found an ally in former Parramatta great Peter Sterling, who last night accused the NRL of turning the game into a bore.
"The only thing that you shouldn’t be able to do is come out and call a referee a cheat," Sterling said on Triple M.
"Otherwise, and if this is what you want, the parameters what coaches can now say will make for very boring, not much being said.
“In fact, if I’m Geoff toovey next time . . . I will send somebody else to go and speak for me because I know if I’m going to sit in that seat and someone asks me, I’m not going to be able to bit my tongue and give an antiseptic answer when I am feeling that way.
"I will send someone else to go and that will save the club and myself 10 grand."
- See more at: http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/nrl-premiership/manly-medical-staff-identifies-fresh-damage-to-watmoughs-knee-after-tangle-with-lima/story-fn2mcuj6-1226700159429#.UhJwFZIzMsQ
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