A SCIENTIFIC analysis of the “dangerous” tackle that threatens to sideline Justin Hodges from the NRL grand final shows he has no charge to answer and should be free to play for the fairytale career ending he deserves.One of the country’s leading forensic biomechanical experts, Simone Lewis, having reviewed footage of the tackle on Rooster Aidan Guerra in Friday’s semi-final at the request of The Courier-Mail, could not find any evidence to penalise Hodges.
Ms Lewis conducted a frame-by-frame analysis of the tackle and came to the conclusion Hodges should be free to play.
“It’s very interesting when you look at it closely,” she said.
The Atomic Human Movement Experts’ principal researcher — whose expertise has been used to determine the cause of injury for many high-profile criminal cases around the country — found Guerra had put himself in a dangerous position on purpose.
“Guerra’s right foot position and following rapid leg motion is evidence that Guerra contributed to his own forward motion,” she said.
“This evidence should support the Brisbane Broncos defence of the matter, at the NRL judiciary.
“Hodges isn’t applying any force to Guerra’s torso and Guerra lifted his own leg before Hodges grabbed at it.”
The finding adds weight to calls for tomorrow night’s NRL judiciary committee hearing to drop the case against Hodges.
Even the man with the most to lose if Hodges takes the field — Cowboys co-captain and playmaker Johnathan Thurston — says set Hodgo free.
Loading from previous suspensions means even an early guilty plea would still rule out Hodges.
Guerra, Hodges’ Queensland Origin teammate, said prior to the charge being laid the tackle did not merit a suspension.
Thurston said he would be gutted if the 15-season veteran was scratched from what could be the highlight of his career.
“It would be very disappointing for him to miss it,” Thurston said.
“He is a great mate of mine.”
Hodges will fight the charge at the judiciary tomorrow night in Sydney.
The Broncos typically use lawyer Peter Shields, who defended Gerard Baden-Clay, for judiciary matters.
Rugby league legends from both sides of the border and some of Queensland’s most powerful people have united to get Hodges on the field.
Across the state divide, former NSW secondrower Mark Geyer said common sense should prevail and Hodges should be allowed to play.
“We all know a dangerous tackle when we see one, especially nowadays. Hodges’ tackle on Guerra wasn’t one,” Geyer said.
“A rugby league player with the career resume of Justin Hodges doesn’t deserve to miss the biggest/last game of his life due to carry-over points.
“That tackle is put on report 10 times out of 10 in the season proper. But we’re not talking about the season proper. We’re talking about the grand final.”
Acting Premier Curtis Pitt said: “The judiciary will make their decision but it would be bitterly disappointing for NRL fans of any team to see a legend of the game miss out on a fitting farewell.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said it was clear from watching the game that there wasn’t anything in the tackle.
“Dangerous tackle? What dangerous tackle? It would be a shame, a big loss to the final if Justin was to be denied the opportunity to play,” he said.
Hodges’ clubmate Corey Parker, who would become grand final captain if his friend were suspended, said Guerra’s movement in the tackle contributed to its dynamic.
Hodges grabbed Guerra’s ankle and the backrower then lost some balance but appeared to also jump which led to him tipping past the horizontal.
“It didn’t look real great but Guerra actually rolled into that tackle and I’m sure they’ll see it in the right way and we won’t have to worry about that,” Parker said.
“He’s the skipper, mate. I don’t have to say too much more about him in terms of importance.”
Former NSW prop Steve Roach, who was suspended from Balmain’s 1988 grand final, also called for Hodges to avoid suspension as it was not deliberate and there needs to be “a bit of leniency knowing how hard blokes work to get into a grand final’’.
Former Test halfback Andrew Johns agreed.
“There is no way in the world he can miss a grand final for that,’’ Johns said on Channel 9.
“Everyone knows he’s going to get off. Everyone in the game who knows anything about the game knows he’s going to get off.
“Why does he have to put up with this sort of anxiety going into the biggest match of his career?’’
Hodges said he was confident he could beat the charge.
“It’s a little worrying but I know myself there was nothing in the tackle,’’ Hodges told Channel 9. Hodges, Parker, Darius Boyd and Sam Thaiday are the only Broncos still in the team since the club’s last premiership in 2006.
The Broncos return to training this morning and Parker said he had encouraged his teammates to enjoy the occasion while at the same time insisting the feeling would get better with a win on Sunday.
Additional reporting by Tom Snowdon, Chris Garry, Travis Meyn and Paul Malone
