PLEA FOR SYMPATHY
NRL great joins chorus hoping Billy Slater avoids a ban
THE Billy Slater grand final circus has called in the big shots as the Storm flyer prepares to fight for his NRL future tomorrow night.
Queensland great Justin Hodges says the judiciary must clear the retiring fullback of a shoulder charge and allow him to face the Roosters on Sunday.
FORMER Broncos skipper Justin Hodges says Billy Slater will be an emotional wreck and has appealed for the NRL judiciary to clear the retiring Melbourne Storm star for a fairytale farewell.
Slater will front the judiciary in Sydney tomorrow night in a bid to beat a shoulder charge suspension and play in Sunday’s grand final against the Roosters.
Hodges faced a similar scenario in 2015, his final season in the NRL, after being charged for a dangerous throw in Brisbane’s preliminary final win against the Roosters.
Hodges was represented by high-profile lawyer Nick Ghabar, the same man the Storm have entrusted with having Slater cleared to finish his career with a grand final farewell at ANZ Stadium.
The judiciary found Hodges not guilty and the former Queensland Origin star was allowed to play in the epic premiership decider against North Queensland, which the Broncos lost in extra time.
Hodges called for the judiciary to not ruin Slater’s dreams of finishing his 16-season career with a grand final.
“I hope common sense prevails and allows him to play,” Hodges said. “I know everyone has a say on it and people think he should be suspended, but there’s been too many grey areas to suspend someone for that in his last game.
“We see the big shoulder charges that Dylan Napa and Sonny-Bill Williams do. That wasn’t a shoulder charge. I hope he doesn’t get suspended.”
The Storm and Ghabar are preparing to argue Slater’s contact was unavoidable given the angle he collided with Cronulla winger Sosaia Feki.
Slater also had his right hand raised when the contact was made with Feki.
Hodges said he would have made the same tackle in that situation.
“When you’re a fullback and making those cover tackles one-on-one then that’s what you’re required to do,” he said.