Call for overhaul of offence grading system
THE NRL judiciary member who was forced to rub out Issac Luke from the 2014 grand final has pleaded for changes to the grading system, declaring a minor offence should not see players ousted from the biggest matches of their careers.
Former Parramatta, NSW and Australian prop Michael Vella was part of the three-man panel that found Luke guilty of a dangerous throw which ended his chances of playing in South Sydney’s historic premiership-winning side.
While standing by the verdict, Vella said the pressure on panel members was excessive, and that minor offences shouldn’t be enough to have players miss grand finals.
Vella’s comment comes as Melbourne Storm fullback Billy Slater will front the NRL judiciary tonight on a grade“They’ve one shoulder charge for a collision with Cronulla’s Sosaia Feki in last Friday night’s preliminary final.
If he is found guilty, Slater will miss Sunday’s grand final against the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium and be sent into retirement.
“My personal opinion is that 100 points (equal to a onegame suspension) shouldn’t lock you out of a grand final or an Origin,” Vella said.
got to change the points system.”
Vella proposed a system where higher demerit points were attached to more important games.
“They should have sliding scale,” Vella said. “A semi-final might be worth 125 points, a preliminary final 150, Origin 200 and a grand final 300 … They are all worth more than a club game, especially a grand final.
“It can’t be treated the same.”
MY PERSONAL OPINION IS THAT 100 POINTS (EQUAL TO A ONE-GAME SUSPENSION) SHOULDN’T LOCK YOU OUT OF A GRAND FINAL OR AN ORIGIN