When does a defender deserve to be sent to the sin bin for an accidental head clash?
That will be a question Wests Tigers fans and coach Benji Marshall are entitled to ask after Dolphins forward Morgan Knowles escaped any sanction for head-to-head contact on Saturday, and was then cleared of any wrongdoing by the match review committee on Sunday.
Knowles collided with Tigers halfback Jock Madden midway through the first half on Saturday as the Dolphins triumphed 36-22.
Play was halted, and Tigers players were waiting for referee Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski to blow a penalty as the replays were beamed on to the big screen at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. If Przeklasa-Adamski was happy with the call, the bunker had ample time to step in and send Knowles to the bin.
“There has to be high contact there because he [Madden] has a cut on his head,” Balmain legend and Fox Sports commentator Steve Roach said during the live TV coverage.
There had already been several similar incidents this season in which players were sent to the sin bin for accidental head clashes.
It even happened to the Dolphins when Tom Flegler was binned on Anzac Day after colliding with Warriors centre Ali Leiataua. Flegler was not charged the next day.
On other occasions, players have not been cited at all, including Victor Radley’s famous head clash with Brisbane’s Pat Carrigan. After escaping any punishment, the Sydney Roosters forward asked: “Really? Is this April Fools?”
Marshall was at a loss to explain the lack of action taken by video officials, and said after the game: “I don’t know what the bunker is allowed and not allowed to do any more. I’m not sure.”
NRL sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly said there were several reasons Knowles was not penalised or charged – and accidental head clashes did not automatically result in players being sent to the sin bin.
The first reason Knowles had nothing to worry about was that he made a genuine attempt to tackle Madden, including a wrapping action with his arms.
There was also no “shooting out of the defensive line”, nor any arm or shoulder contact with Madden’s head.
Even though there was contact with the head, the same sources said it was accidental, and certainly not careless or reckless.
The Tigers’ form playmaker this season, Adam Doueihi, is no certainty to return for the club’s tough road trip to Newcastle next Sunday. Doueihi has been struggling with a shoulder injury, and will need to pass a series of tests before being cleared to join Jarome Luai in the halves.
The Dolphins have now won seven in a row, and welcome back their Origin contingent when they host the Warriors on Saturday afternoon.
