LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Melbourne Storm officials Craig Bellamy and Justin Rodski have advocated for reforms in the NRL judiciary system, claiming that the current process is flawed. They expressed their concerns following an instance where an unsuccessful challenge leads to an added suspension. Additionally, ARL CEO Peter V'landys refuted any claims that the commission leveraged new powers to penalize Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton.
Storm captain Harry Grant will be sidelined for the next two matches and the remainder of the regular season due to a grade-two charge for a shoulder tackle against the Bulldogs. The Storm chose not to contest the grading, as doing so would have escalated a two-game ban to a three-game ban if they had been unsuccessful.
This decision means Grant will be eligible to return for the first week of the NRL finals after missing two games. Nonetheless, both Bellamy and Rodski highlighted the absurdity of the current system, which they argue dissuades teams from challenging charges.
"I thought it was very, very harsh," said Bellamy. "Especially when you've seen some of the other actions similar to that throughout the year - yeah, I thought it was very harsh."
Storm CEO Rodski voiced his dissatisfaction with the existing system, labeling it "unfair." He urged the NRL to reassess the judiciary procedures: "What I'd like to see is a review of the judiciary system around the way that a player is unable to challenge to downgrade a charge without risking the harsh penalty of an additional game," he stated.
He added, "The grading is an incentive to not challenge, but at the same time it's not a fair reflection of natural justice. While I understand and appreciate why it's been set up that way ... and I agree with the early plea in principle.
"The problem with the system now is that when you have an instance like this, surely the player should be able to challenge to have the charge downgraded and not risk such a heavy penalty. For any player at any club, to miss a final off the back of challenging that downgrade, it's not worth it."