Oh dear, things don’t look good for Billy
SILLY Billy.
After going through the highs and lows of 16 years, including fighting back from a career-threatening injury to, ironically, his shoulder, Billy Slater faces an abrupt and painful end through suspension due to what NRL folk call a shoulder charge.
But I hear you ask: What is wrong with a good oldfashioned AFL-style hip-andshoulder in the game of brutes that is rugby league.
WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?
You could say it is the abject paranoia the NRL has that in years to come the game will be made accountable for the impacts rendering former players a shadow of their former selves, leading the league to slash the inherent risk of brain injuries in particular.
Rugby league comprises mostly front-on contact, including forces one might experience in a car accident at 60km/h. That in itself takes it toll on the body, and the brain, over a number of years.
The shoulder charge is considered the one most likely to go wrong. If an attacker slips at the last minute, a defender launching his body weight into him has no time to change his technique.
Contact with the head and it is lights out guaranteed. In the short-term a serious concussion potentially leaves a star player on the sidelines for weeks, multiple hits over a career could have long-term effects.
Being seen to be eliminating the shoulder charge is the NRL’s insurance policy.
WHAT’S IN HIS FAVOUR?
Apart from the emotion of it all, being Slater potentially ending his career with suspension, the intent of the shoulder charge rule was never aimed at his tackle on Sosaia Feki — in the eyes of many it was the heavy side-on contact necessary to stop the guy scoring.
To pundits, it appears there is a much lower risk of injury to the attacker compared with front-on contact that can jolt the head back and forward. Add to that players have been doing it for years and this type of hit has not yielded any significant injuries in the past.
Slater’s right hand is also in front of the opposing player when he makes contact and the defence will argue that showed he was “wrapping his arms” around the player and making a genuine attempt to tackle. That is probably the best shot at freeing him.
WHAT’S NOT IN HIS FAVOUR?
The rules. Forceful, shoulder to shoulder contact with his arm tucked close to his body is not looked on fondly.
Some say it was his “only option” in a bid to stop the guy because it was happening so quickly.
But that is ignoring the fact he had just come off his right foot and his body was naturally opening up. Instead, he tucked his shoulder in.
WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN?
I am sorry to say most signs point to Billy Slater going down in history as one of those rare players ending his career in suspension. It is cruel, but it is the rules, and the NRL cannot soften its stance, even for one of the greats. The case could be used as a dangerous precedent and there is still a risk it goes wrong when it is open season. It would defeat the whole purpose.
Expect to see a tearful Slater emerge from NRL HQ tomorrow night and then the outpouring of emotional anger from fans who do not see the harm.
But if there is any positive out of all this controversy, at least now you lot know the NRL grand final is on this Sunday. Though if Slater is rubbed out, you may choose to ignore it anyway.