The end of the shoulder charge?

[Porthoz]

It looks like we won't be seeing many more moments like last weekend's awesome charge by Evans on Kasiano:

Any player who commits a shoulder charge using force will be automatically charged by the Match Review Committee from this weekend.Head of Football Todd Greenberg said today the change to the rule would remove ambiguity about whether a player should be charged.
Mr Greenberg said the shoulder charge was dangerous and had potentially dire consequences if it went wrong.
While the NRL had made the shoulder charge illegal, the current rules mean offenders can escape a charge if there is “no forceful movement of the head or neck”.
Mr Greenberg said the rule would be simplified to require any shoulder charge with force to be charged automatically by the Match Review Committee based on the severity.
“We need to be clear about this . . . we cannot allow player welfare to be put at risk by shoulder charges,” Mr Greenberg said.
“A player carrying the ball cannot protect himself properly against the force of a shoulder charge.
“We have seen this type of tackle have tragic consequences recently and the NRL has an obligation to put player safety first.”
Mr Greenberg said players found guilty of shoulder charges risked lengthy suspensions.
A grade one shoulder charge offence carries a base penalty of 200 points and more serious breaches can result in suspensions of up to 8 matches – or more.
“In other words, anyone found guilty of using a shoulder charge with force will be suspended for at least one match,” he said.
“So there will be a real incentive for players and coaches to ensure that shoulder charges are taken out of the game.”

A Shoulder Charge Means A Charge - Broncos

Although it is fantastic to watch, and it won't go wrong 99.9% of the time, I can't argue with this, as the risk is too high when it does go wrong, as the tragedy between Molo and Ackerman demonstrated.

 

[Morkel]

Agree. I can't go past the fact that this has been "tightened" after a Roosters player got off a charge. It's like the judiciary are a rogue faction, and the crackdown the NRL has implemented is not so much for the players, but for the judiciary.

 

[Nashy]

This is all well and good, but no change is a good change while the MRC are as bullshit as they are. They will still pick and choose what is a shoulder charge based on the player, who they play for, any injury, and what games are upcoming.

It should be an independent panel, completely disconnected form anyone who's ever played the game, been involved in the game, or even likes the game.

 

[gordjw]

That is also all well and good, but then you will have people claiming that the MRC don't understand the game of rugby league and throwing around terms like "fucking Welsh banker", etc...

 

[Huge]

That Kane Evans shoulder charge should have been a suspension as Kasianos head was going forward at speed and suddenly was going back at speed. The fact that his body did so simultaneously should be irrelevant . I'm still dirty on Blair's two match suspension although it might have freshened him up a little.

Hopefully this will make things a little clearer at the judiciary .

 

[Battler]

Blair's hit wasn't even a shoulder charge and he got hit with two weeks because Elgey was hurt. The worst thing about the MRC is that they're reactive rather than proactive. Evans on Fatiano was a cut and dry shoulder charge, he should have copped a longer suspension than Blair.

 

[broncos4life]

That is also all well and good, but then you will have people claiming that the MRC don't understand the game of rugby league and throwing around terms like "fucking Welsh banker", etc...

The problem at the moment is that the MRC is made up of people that THINK they know the game, but are completely out of touch and biased.

I'm a big fan of Nashys idea of getting in an independent panel. Understanding the game isn't necessary, intelligent people can be trained to know what is right and wrong, free of having a 'feel' for the game.

 

[gordjw]

The problem at the moment is that the MRC is made up of people that THINK they know the game, but are completely out of touch and biased.

I'm a big fan of Nashys idea of getting in an independent panel. Understanding the game isn't necessary, intelligent people can be trained to know what is right and wrong, free of having a 'feel' for the game.

I agree mate, but the whinging along those lines will increase tenfold. Just like what has happened with David Smith.

Expect to see Gus, Joey and the other talking heads trot out lines like: 'no context for the play', 'no passion', 'disconnected from grass roots rugby league'.

 

[mieko]

Will be interesting to see how they handle Masons shoulder charge tonight. IMO it was and I think he got penalised but hey, the judiciary is truly a lottery.

 

[Nashy]

Can anyone confirm that shoulder charges in attack will be called up too? If not, what's the point?

 

[Porthoz]

Can anyone confirm that shoulder charges in attack will be called up too? If not, what's the point?

You can't really do that, given you're carrying the ball tucked under your arm, but you can't really shoulder charge either, as it's more than likely you'll lose the ball doing so.

 

[Alec]

I know it's dangerous, but they add so much to the game...

It's like in Return of the Jedi, where they don't have those sand vaginas underneath them. They are just jumping in the sand then, right. Like, what's the point then?

And Leia doesn't wear a bikini.

 

[abashii]

I know it's dangerous, but they add so much to the game...

It's like in Return of the Jedi, where they don't have those sand vaginas underneath them. They are just jumping in the sand then, right. Like, what's the point then?

And Leia doesn't wear a bikini.

Sand vaginas?

 

[ningnangnong]

Motherfucking sand vaginas!

 

[abashii]

Motherfucking sand vaginas!

Zoomed out I can see where you're coming from, especially with that little accessory nodule on the left. But I prefer mine without hundreds of spiky teeth.

 

[Porthoz]

Zoomed out I can see where you're coming from, especially with that little accessory nodule on the left. But I prefer mine without hundreds of spiky teeth.

Don't bag it till you try it...

 

[Morkel]

For those who want to know more detail about the Molo / Ackerman shoulder charge, it's now been somewhat revealed publicly:

?Don?t be a shoulder charge target? ? James Ackerman?s parents plea to rugby league players

"Molo’s shoulder hit James’ chest and the whiplash effect severed arteries in his neck".

 

[1910]

Please be advised that the following rule change regarding Shoulder Charges has been adopted for all QRL State-wide Competitions.

e.g. Cyril Connell Cup, Mal Meninga Cup and Intrust Super Cup.

[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]Amendment to the definition of "Shoulder Charge" in Part 1.2 - Interpretation of the Code

[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]The definition of "Shoulder Charge" in Part 1.2 of the QRL Major Competitions Judiciary Code is amended in the following manner:

[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]"Shoulder Charge" – means misconduct on the part of a Player constituted by carelessly, recklessly or intentionally making or attempting to make a shoulder charge on an opposing Player (that is, making forceful contact with the opposing Player using his shoulder and/or upper arm tucked into his side without, at the same time, using his arms to tackle or otherwise take hold of that opposing Player);

[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]Amendment to the Shoulder Charge offence in the First Schedule of the Code

[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]The description of misconduct for a Shoulder Charge in the First Schedule of the Code (titled "Offences") is amended in the following manner:

[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]A Player is guilty of misconduct if he carelessly, recklessly or intentionally makes or attempts to make a shoulder charge on an opposing Player (that is, making forceful contact with the opposing Player by using his shoulder and/or upper arm tucked into his side without, at the same time, using his arms to tackle or otherwise take hold of that opposing Player);
[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO THE QRL MAJOR COMPETITIONS JUDICIARY CODE [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]
[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]Amendment to Standard Directions regarding Shoulder Charges in the Fifth Schedule of the Code

[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]The Standard Directions in the Fifth Schedule of the Code regarding Shoulder Charges is amended in the following manner:

[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]Shoulder Charges

[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]Shoulder charges are illegal. They are no longer accepted as part of the Game. Where they result in forceful contact with an opposing Player’s body (irrespective of whether that contact causes or contributes to any movement of, or impact to the opposing Player’s head or neck), they will amount to misconduct under the Code.

A shoulder charge is made when the tackling player uses his shoulder and/or upper arm tucked into the side without, at the same time, using his arms to tackle or otherwise take hold of the opposing Player. Arms obviously include hands. The requirement to use "the arms" means that both arms must be used. Unless both are, then in any case involving the use of the shoulder and/or upper arm tucked into the side, it will be a shoulder charge.

A Player is guilty of misconduct in that regard - and therefore, of an offence under the Code - if, when effecting, or attempting to effect, a shoulder charge, he carelessly, recklessly or intentionally makes forceful contact between any part of his body and any part of an opposing Player’s body (including the head or neck).

As can be seen by the all-encompassing definition of that offence, it makes no difference (except as to penalty) whether the conduct was careless, reckless or intentional.

It also makes no difference which part of the tackling player’s body makes contact with the tackled player. It might, for instance, be his shoulder, his arm, his head, his torso or even his leg.

When this type of offence is before the Judiciary, directions along the following lines may be given:

[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]A shoulder charge is where the tackling Player uses his shoulder and/or upper arm tucked into the side without, at the same time, using the arms to tackle or otherwise take hold of the opposing player. Arms obviously include hands. The requirement to use "the arms" means that both arms must be used. Unless both are, then in any case involving the use of the shoulder and/or upper arm tucked into the side, it will be a shoulder charge.

Players at all times have a special duty to avoid contact that involves an unacceptable risk of injury to an opposing player. A shoulder charge resulting in forceful contact with any part of an opposing Player’s body, by definition, carries with it an unacceptable risk of injury. It has been outlawed from the Game for that reason.
[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO THE QRL MAJOR COMPETITIONS JUDICIARY CODE [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]
[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri]The charge will be made out in any case where a player makes forceful contact between any part of his body and any part of an opposing Player’s body, including the head or neck, when effecting, or attempting to effect, a shoulder charge.

A Player may be guilty of this offence when his conduct is intentional, reckless or careless. However, the charged player’s conduct must have been at least careless - he must have failed to play with the proper level of care that the responsible playing of the game requires.

[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][FONT=Calibri,Calibri][/FONT][/FONT]These amendments will take effect immediately.