‘Completely innocuous’: Harry Grant ‘not guilty’ amid controversy

Storm captain Harry Grant has fronted the judiciary after challenging his charge for a light touch on the Sharks’ Daniel Atkinson.

Harry Grant has been found not guilty. Photo: Getty Images and Fox Sport

Storm star Harry Grant has been found not guilty of a grade one dangerous contact charge at a landmark hearing at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night which would have set a very strict precedent as to what constitutes illegal contact on kickers.

Grant could’ve accepted a $1000 fine for making contact with Cronulla’s Daniel Atkinson as he kicked the ball on Saturday night – an incident which saw him sent to the sin bin – but the Storm were adamant that he hadn’t done anything wrong.

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The judiciary panel of Tony Puletua and former referee Sean Hampstead agreed, with the pair deliberating for just 10 minutes before they reached a unanimous verdict, conceding the contact was dangerous but that Grant didn’t act carelessly.

The decision to penalise Grant was widely panned at the time given it didn’t appear to be as dangerous as other collisions, with Roosters utility Sandon Smith suspended but not penalised on the field for tackling Dylan Walker in the air.

The safety of kickers has always been paramount but gained more attention this year after Rabbitohs halfback Lachlan Ilias broke his leg in a shocking tackle in NSW Cup that saw Freddy Lussick banned for four games.

It's the sin bin that's blown up around the NRL. Photo: Fox Sports

Grant knew Atkinson from their time together at the Storm and argued he was forced to change his angle to prevent a potential 40/20 late in the first half because Cameron McInnes acted as a sleeper.

“I was travelling at a fast pace. As I realised he’s kicked the ball and not a run threat, I slowed down,” said Grant, who appeared via video link alongside Storm general manager of football Frank Ponissi.

“I tried to veer and pull away from Daniel to avoid initiating dangerous contact or making a collision with Daniel.

“There was minimal contact and Daniel’s boot is grazing my leg as he brings his leg back to the ground.

“There was very minimal force.”

NRL counsel Lachlan Gyles showed the panel seven angles and argued that Grant could have changed his line, to which the hooker replied “I can’t stop on a dime”.

Gyles suggested the conduct was careless, it put Atkinson into a vulnerable position and that Grant showed a lack of care in avoiding contact.

Melbourne Storm hooker Harry Grant was sent to the sin bin. Picture: NRL Images

Defence counsel Nick Ghabar argued the contact was not dangerous and that Atkinson’s “theatrics” won his side a penalty on a night he kicked the winning field goal.

“It was not forceful, it was glancing,” he said.

“It was gamesmanship to grab his leg to alert the referee’s attention to get a penalty.

“It was contact that was completely innocuous and not dangerous.

“No player can stop on a dime. A ballerina couldn’t do that.”

The Storm were incredulous that Grant was charged at all, but other players accept that contact is avoidable.

“Just don’t go hit the kicking leg. It’s pretty black and white, I think,” Roosters lock Victor Radley said on Tuesday.

“Lachlan Ilias broke his leg on it and then someone in reserve grade kind of got pumped (Brad Schneider), so it is dangerous. Don’t attack that kicking leg.”

There have been a number of players either penalised or charged in recent weeks, but NRL head of football Graham Annesley insists there has been no crackdown from head office.

“One thing I can clarify is that there has been no directive given to match officials or the match review committee about any supposed crackdown on incidents like that,” he said.

“That is purely a discretionary matter for referees and the Bunker to use their judgement in determining what action should be taken in any incident of alleged foul play.

“There has been no crackdown.”

Originally published as ‘Completely innocuous’: Harry Grant ‘not guilty’ amid controversy