Unfairness of Michael Gordon fine highlights NRL inconsistency

Veteran Gold Coast fullback Michael Gordon hasn’t been suspended in 14 seasons in the NRL. Yet his fine for his sin bin walk was more than Sam Burgess’s for the outrageous Matt Moylan tackle.

Was this really worse than Burgess’s “tackle”? Photo: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

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This is the NRL’s idea of justice.

In 14 seasons and 257 NRL games Michael Gordon has never been suspended.

In nine seasons and 177 NRL games Sam Burgess has faced 15 foul play charges.

In round 19 against the Broncos, Gordon walked off the field too slowly after being sin-binned. The NRL has handed down a $2000 fine for this “crime”.

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Was this really worse than Burgess’s “tackle”? Photo: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

Last weekend Burgess belted Cronulla fullback Matt Moylan so hard he suffered concussion so severe the Sharks star will miss two games. Burgess was fined $1900.

Now work that out.

The Gold Coast Titans veteran is an absolute ornament to the game while Burgess has a rap sheet that includes genital grabbing, shoulder charges, elbows, high tackles, crushers, chicken wings and cannon balls.

The fact Burgess escaped suspension is a disgrace.

Sam Burgess whacks Matt Moylan and paid $100 less.

It is why the match-review committee and the judiciary will be overhauled in the off-season.

As for Gordon, he is only the second player to be fined for taking too long to leave the field.

Earlier this year Manly Sea Eagles front-rower Addin Fonua-Blake was pinched and fined $2000.

The sin bin rule states: “A player must leave the field of play via the most direct route to the dressing room in an expeditious manner. The player must run not walk.”

Originally published as Unfairness of Michael Gordon fine highlights NRL inconsistency