LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In a recent development that has sent shockwaves through the Rugby League community, NRL head of football Graham Annesley has categorically denied rumors of a pre-finals crackdown on high contact.
Despite a noticeable rise in penalties for high tackles, league officials are adamant that this is not a deliberate strategy.
The issue was brought to the forefront by Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon, following an incident where Kayal Iro was sin-binned for a high shot on Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
Despite Watene-Zelezniak staying down for a brief period, he managed to avoid a Head Injury Assessment and continued playing.
The NRL is currently reviewing all head knocks from the weekend, with no suggestion of any wrongdoing by the Warriors player who went on to score a hat-trick in their thrilling victory at Shark Park.
While acknowledging the importance of player safety and the need to eradicate high shots from the game, Fitzgibbon expressed his frustration at the timing of the crackdown, stating that the last-minute intervention could lead to a disjointed and chaotic end to the season.
He highlighted concerns about potential gamesmanship and players exaggerating injuries to gain the upper hand in crucial matches.
As the Rugby League community braces for the upcoming finals series, Annesley's firm stance serves as a reminder that referees should not be expected to serve as medical professionals on the field.
The spotlight on high contact remains a contentious issue, with the debate likely to intensify as the stakes get higher in the business end of the season.