This bulls*it shoulder charge rule needs to change.

[nightster]

I'm still perplexed as to why the the club didn't fight either of the charges.

especially for Marty!!

 

[TagMonster]

My opinion:

Shoulder Charge needs to have forward momentum, hence the "charge."

It also should be contact above the shoulder. If I have a 100kg+ bloke running full tilt at me while I'm a little off balance I'm bracing for contact and at best hoping to slow the bloke down and not get killed. That shouldn't be a suspension.

As for those that argue that it can result in injury etc etc, whilst I agree it is a contact sport and convention tackles go wrong too. What about the defenders welfare? Going low consistently has a risk of copping a knee to the head.

Whilst it could be argued that the NRL may be liable for injuries etc, why not classify a shoulder charge that does not have forward momentum or make contact with the head a grade 1 offence that carries a fine. Contact with the head with no momentum is grade 2 and would result in 1 week suspension and forward momentum with contact above the shoulders is a serious offence and would rub the player out for no less than 4-5 weeks.

Make the obvious offense big penalties while the smaller ones carry fines.

 

[The Who]

So, let's see this round how many other players are charged with similar bull*hit tackles. There should be several from every match because RL coaches have taken the incentive from a low tackle in favour of the 'hold-dance-flop' routine to slow down play.
If the Kapow tackle was illegal then why didn't the ref penalise it? No-one at the ground could have missed the tackle, and it will be on the NRL highlights reel to show everyone what an exciting collision sport RL is.
This is double-standards, which is nothing new for the NRL in recent years.

 

[globaleagle]

Another problem with the shoulder charge is that whilst the nrl recognise it is a dangerous act that should be punished as it can cause severe damage to other players..... attacking players are given free range to do it!

As far as I know (?) as long as you have a ball tucked under your arm you can throw your shoulder into someone trying to tackle you with no fear of any consequences.

For something deemed so dangerous by the nrl....it's a weird "get out of gaol free" situation.