OUTRAGE OVER HIT
Soliola’s massive hit sends shockwaves through FNQ rugby league community
THROW the book at the player who floored Billy Slater.
Sia Soliola is public enemy No.1 among Far North rugby league fans, who are calling for the NRL to send the right message to the next generation when the judiciary meets in Sydney tonight.
The Raiders backrower will tonight face the music for the sickening hit he laid on Innisfail’s favourite son on Saturday night and Cairns District Junior Rugby League chairman Ian Lydiard said a season-ending ban was necessary to show young players the difference between right and wrong.
“If he goes for a holiday, they’ll be sending the right message,” Lydiard said.
“If he doesn’t go for a holiday, then they’re not solving the problem.
“I saw the hit. When you looked at it on replay it looked pretty bad. In normal speed it looked bad.
“I think that sort of stuff, leading with the elbow and the shoulder and forearm, is not on. It shouldn’t be in the game.
“I think Canberra will be without him for the rest of the year. But I’ve seen people get off for worse things.”
While Lydiard admonished Soliola for the hit, he said the 107-kilogram second rower was entitled to have his case heard at the NRL judiciary.
The Garradunga Hotel erupted when Soliola knocked Slater unconscious and publican Ian Campbell said patrons were most concerned for the welfare of the man who calls the pub his “local”.
“We were all devastated when it happened,” he said. “It was shocking.”
Campbell urged the judiciary to rub Soliola out for at least the rest of 2017.
“I think they should bar him for the rest of the year. Throw the book at him.” he said. “Nobody wants to see that, even if you don’t support Melbourne.”
Leading sports doctor Peter Larkins said Soliola’s hit was delivered with potentially lethal force.
“That’s the sort of thing that not only breaks a jaw and gives concussion, it kills people,’’ Larkins said.