Written by “Not again, not again, you don’t have to go that high, do you?” … “Oh no, this can’t be. This is unbelievable, this is unbelievable.” … “I don’t know what to say. I’m without speech.” – Andrew Voss (Fox League commentator)
Strife-ridden NRL Canterbury Bulldogs forward, Jack Hetherington, freshly back from a five-week suspension for a high-shot on Cowboys’ fullback, Valentine Holmes, is again under fire.
On Saturday May 29, on game one of his return from suspension, Hetherington could be relegated to the sidelines again. Cited as largely responsible for the loss to Penrith, Hetherington found himself on report for a high tackle to Viliame Kikau, Panther’s second rower less than three minutes into the game. The contact, spotted by referee Matt Noyen was initiated at Kikau’s chest but impacted his face as well. To complicate matters, this reprimand came shortly after a penalty was issued for a high tackle on Penrith’s James Fisher-Harris.
In an effort to reduce the incidence of concussion, the league has implemented a crackdown on high tackles. One reckless tackle could draw a fine, but Hetherington is becoming a ‘known offender’ and risks another suspension already. Bulldog’s coach Trent Barrett declared that Hetherington is targeted because of his reputation among the referees.
“If you go through the whole game, there’s probably about six to seven other ones that are like that that didn’t get pulled up, but because his name is Jack Hetherington…”
“You can’t tell me the referees don’t have (his) name at the back of their mind every time he’s involved in a tackle. And the crowd get behind it as well,” – Trent Barrett
He goes on to defend Hetherington’s efforts to rectify his short-comings and his great dedication to the game. He points out that his behavior is more out of hapless enthusiasm than malice:
“I’ve said it before – Jack Hetherington is not a dirty player,” Barrett said, “There was no force in any of those tackles at all at the start of the game.”
Regardless of Hetherington’s longevity in the game, the rules in place are there for a reason.
In a news report last week, neuroscientist Alan Pearce warned that the AFL and NRL were writing “out-clauses” into some of their policies. These policies govern the stance taken on the standing down of players that act in a manner that heightens the likelihood of causing concussion injuries. While much more research was still needed to determine how serious repercussions are after repeated head trauma and how consistent exposure to tackling elevated the risk of incident. This report highlights the recent issue of the banning and then subsequent overturning of that ban of Gold Coast player Nick Holman. Holman injured Geelong’s Mitch Duncan in a run-down tackle that was deemed excessive, and that Holman could have done more to protect Duncan’s head. Dr Pearce has spoken on a wide range of issues related to concussion within contact sports.
The sporting codes and clubs need to consistently act in a manner that provides a culture of safe and responsible behavior. Not only on paper but also in practice, upheld regardless of whether the player in question is guilty of maliciousness or just plain reckless enthusiasm, brain trauma is a very real issue.
Gold Coast Suns’ Nick Holman has two-week suspension overturned by AFL tribunal – ABC News
Hetherington NRL ban would be sad: Barrett | The Canberra Times | Canberra, ACT