NRL Judiciary: ‘His forearm is right down his throat’: Kevin Proctor referred straight to judiciary over bite
Brad Fittler has come to the defence of Titans back-rower Kevin Proctor, as confirmation he would be referred straight to the judiciary over his alleged bite on Sharks halfback Shaun Johnson.
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League greats Brad Fittler and Peter Sterling have come to the defence of Titans back-rower Kevin Proctor, as confirmation came through he would be referred straight to the judiciary over his alleged bite on Sharks halfback Shaun Johnson.
Proctor faces a long-term ban if he is charged by the match review committee, which could potentially end his season prematurely.
Former Bulldogs skipper James Graham received a 12-week ban for his bite on Billy Slater in the 2012 Grand Final.
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Kevin Proctor referred straight to judiciary on biting charge
— Brent Read (@brentread_7) August 16, 2020
However Fittler believes Proctor had little choice given the style of tackle that Johnson used on the Titans skipper.
“The fact is his arm is right in his mouth anyway,” Fittler said.
“The tackling technique he has hold of his shoulder. Poor old Kevin Proctor, the bloke has got his forearm right down his throat. What are you supposed to do?”
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Fittler believes that Proctor’s reaction in no way compares to Graham’s bite on Slater.
“His mouth was around his arm, but I don’t think he had much other chance for it not to be,” Fittler said.
“Shaun doesn’t realise where his arm was and then obviously he felt something, but I feel sympathy for Kevin Proctor that a bloke’s forearm is sitting straight across his lips.
“It doesn’t really compare to James Graham’s at all.”
Peter Sterling questioned why Proctor can potentially be charged without an official complaint being lodged.
“The interesting one for me is that I was always under the understanding that there had to be an official complaint made,” Sterling said.
“When is the responsibility taken away? When does it become official if no official complaint is made?”
Meanwhile Broncos forward Payne Haas is facing two to three weeks on the sideline for dangerous contact of the head and neck.
Haas was been cited for Grade two dangerous contact to the head/neck of Siliva Havili in the 74th minute of last night’s loss to the Raiders.
The charge carries a two-week suspension with an early plea, or three weeks if found guilty.
Payne Haas also facing 2-3 games for the dangerous contact with the head and neck
— Brent Read (@brentread_7) August 16, 2020
Rabbitohs forward Liam Knight is a facing one-to-two-game ban for a dangerous contact incident involving Cowboys opponent Jordan McLean.
Cowboys hooker Jake Granville can avoid suspension with an early guilty plea for dangerous contact on South Sydney flyer Alex Johnston.
Originally published as NRL Judiciary: ‘His forearm is right down his throat’: Kevin Proctor referred straight to judiciary over bite