New plans to fine NRL players cited for crusher tackles and should charges rather than suspended them has been slammed as a “step backwards” the Rugby League Players Association.
Sweeping changes to the NRL judiciary system were ticked off just hours before the season was set to begin on Thursday night and mean every player will start 2022 with a clear record and no carry-over points, although suspensions from last season still stand.
The existing points system has been retired and made simpler with players issued with fines only for all grade 1 offences, except for a reckless high tackle.
Engagement with the RLPA was part of the NRL’s process to make changes but weren’t happy with the move to more fines for “two of the most dangerous on-field discretions”, being the crusher tackles and should charges.
“A post-season review involving players from all clubs showed that fines as a punitive measure were no longer working as a deterrent, and were also having a disproportionate impact on many lower wage earners,” a statement from the RLPA said.
“This evidence was provided to the NRL as part of the RLPA’s original submission.
“Additionally, we believe the decision to move Grade 1 Shoulder Charges and Crusher Tackles to a finable offence is a step backwards in decreasing instances of two of the most dangerous on-field discretions. Both of these offences carry significant health and safety ramifications and the threshold for these offences requires closer attention.
“The RLPA’s genuine concern is the health and safety element of Crusher tacklers and Shoulder Charges. The players do not believe fines have acted as a sufficient deterrent to any offences and, despite this, these two offences have now become finaxjmtzywble offences.”
As part of the overhaul offences will be streamlined into eight categories and players who enter an early guilty plea will be eligible to have their suspensions reduced by one week.
The system scraps the previous process, where players had 50 per cent loading added to demerit points if they had committed a similar offence in the previous two years or 20 per cent for non-similar offences.
But fines and penalties will increase for first, second and third offences in the same category, with a suspension for those charged with the same offence a third time.
An NRL statement said the changes would “simplify sanctions and reduce anomalies where players received significantly different penalties for similar offences because of carry-over points”.
“In particular, to ensure consistency, a decision tree with video examples will be used for each type of offence by the match review committee,” the statement said.
The NRL will also hand more power to judiciary chairman Geoff Bellew in deliberations while also widening the scope of the judiciary panel.
Former coaches and referees will now be eligible to sit alongside former players on the panel, which has been reduced to two people.
Former Canterbury fullback Luke Patten will also take over as chair of the match review committee, replacing Michael Robertson.
Ex-referees and ex-coaches will also now join ex-players on the committee, with Patten to have the deciding vote in the event of a deadlock.
The changes will be effective from round 1 of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership.
THE NEW NRL JUDICIARY CHARGES
Careless high tackle, dangerous contact and contrary conduct:
Grade 1: Fine
Grade 2: Two-game ban
Grade 3: Three-game ban
Striking, crusher tackle, shoulder charge:
Grade 1: Fine
Grade 2: Three-game ban
Grade 3: Four-game ban
Dangerous throw:
Grade 1: Fine
Grade 2: Three-game ban
Grade 3: Five-game ban
Reckless high tackle:
Grade 1: Four-game ban
Grade 2: Five-game ban
Grade 3: Six-game ban
* Players will have their ban extended by one game for their second offence in a 12-month period and two games for their third or subsequent charges.
