Andrew Johns slams Broncos forward Adam Blair for late hit on Cooper Cronk

WATCH THE VIDEO: Andrew Johns and Peter Sterling were left fuming after Brisbane enforcer Adam Blair blindsided Cooper Cronk.

Cooper Cronk stays down after a hit from Adam Blair.

ANDREW Johns has slammed the NRL for not doing more to protect star playmakers after labelling Adam Blair’s ugly late shot on Cooper Cronk the act of a “coward”.

Johns and fellow halfback great Peter Sterling were left fuming in the wake of Melbourne’s stunning victory after the Brisbane enforcer blindsided Cronk in the back during the second half well after he’d passed the ball.

Johns called it “the cheapest shot in the game” while Sterling said it was lucky the tackle didn’t ruin Cronk’s grand final dream.

Asked if the tackle was crossing the line, Johns told Channel Nine: “Yeah, it is a coward (shot).

“(Blair) sees the ball go.

“He is giving away 30 kilos to a small man and he hits him in the back.

“It is a dirty play and they need to get rid of it out of the game.

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Cooper Cronk stays down after a hit from Adam Blair.

“We had Johnathan Thurston earlier in the year on the Sunday Footy Show and he said the powers that be and the referees in the game have got to look at this.

“He said he is sick and tired of passing the ball and not seeing the defender come and smash into his kidneys.

“Now, you have got the greatest player, half, playing the game screaming to our officials to say can we protect our ballplayer.

“If they run in the line, straight on, you are fair game.

“But you pass the ball, they see the ball go out of your hands and you relax, there is no need to hit him.

“It is the cheapest shot in the game.

“In years gone by your halfback was protected by your front rowers and your forwards.

“And if any of that rubbish went on then the punishment would be dealt out on the field.

“But unfortunately they can’t do that now because they have sanitised the game and we are so paranoid about the reaction.

“You can’t throw punches but you can smash a bloke in his back when he’s not looking, please, what’s worse?”

Sterling added: “Cooper Cronk, if he had have picked up an injury out of that could have missed a grand final on the back of that.

“It would have been so unnecessary.

“If they are talking about player welfare that has got to be addressed.”

Originally published as Andrew Johns slams Broncos forward Adam Blair for late hit on Cooper Cronk