LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Andrew Johns' criticism of a third-man-in tackle by Karl Lawton has been validated after Lawton received one of the year's most severe charges in the NRL.
Following the Cowboys' heavy loss to the Roosters, Lawton was handed a grade 3 dangerous contact charge for his tackle on Siua Wong, who is now facing a minimum of six weeks out due to a medial ligament tear.
Despite the gravity of the incident, Lawton was not penalized during the game, leading to increased frustration for Johns, who voiced his concerns during the commentary.
"It's dangerous, I hate it," Johns exclaimed.
He stressed the need for stricter measures against such tackles that endanger players, emphasizing, "If you have two players in the tackle, and momentum is pretty much (stopped), that third man shouldn't be able to go in like that." Johns referenced past injuries, noting that players cannot anticipate these tackles, which raise the risk of severe injuries.
He highlighted a worrying trend where players turn into tackles to see incoming third men, which can lead to dangerous situations such as "crushers."
In addition to Lawton, Eels players Ryley Smith and Will Penisini are also facing suspensions for dangerous throw charges stemming from their recent match against the Titans.
Overall, Lawton's charge marks just the second grade-three offense of the season, with Dolphins player Felise Kaufusi receiving similar discipline for dangerous contact last week.
The fallout from these incidents underscores the ongoing discussion in rugby league regarding player safety and the enforcement of regulations surrounding high-impact tackles.