Phil Rothfield: Kenny Edwards and Addin Fonua-Blake hits show violence is ruining league

IT was another shocking weekend for the NRL on the adjudication of foul play — with Kenny Edwards and Addin Fonua-Blake the big culprits.

Cooper Cronk taken high by Addin Fonua-Blake.

IT was another shocking weekend for the NRL on the adjudication of foul play.

Manly Sea Eagles forward Addin Fonua-Blake belted Cooper Cronk in the jaw with a swinging arm.

Parramatta Eels forward Kenny Edwards attacked the head of a Broncos player on the ground.

Both players stayed on the field.

Yet had they have slapped their opponents, they would have been sin-binned.

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Addin Fonua-Blake’s big hit on Cooper Cronk.

The shocking Billy Slater incident in round 20 should have been the wake-up call for the NRL.

It’s now time to direct the blowtorch at chief executive Todd Greenberg.

He claims the game is doing everything possible to protect players from concussion.

Yet the foul play continues to go unpunished. A $1500 fine to Edwards is not enough. It was a dog shot.

The crowds over the weekend in Sydney were again an embarrassment.

Just 8000 at Penrith. About 150,000 empty seats in games at ANZ Stadium and Allianz Stadium.

Rugby league will never attract new customers while Greenberg refuses to take a tougher stand on on-field violence.

KNIGHT VISION SHOWS DARK AGE IS OVER

THE Newcastle Knights are a remarkably resilient club.

Any team facing two straight wooden spoons after just four wins in two years under the same coach with much the same roster would be in danger of imploding.

Yet somehow coach Nathan Brown has not only gradually improved the team but created strong foundations for future success.

Saturday’s win over St George Illawarra was richly deserved and long overdue.

The Knights have been banging on the door for weeks and never given up.

All with a roster that is $2 million under the salary cap.

Nathan Ross with fans following Newcastle’s win over the Dragons.

Outside of the shocker three weeks ago against the Wests Tigers, they have turned up every game.

There is every indication this side will develop into something special next year.

Add Kalyn Ponga, Connor Watson, Tautau Moga, Aidan Guerra and Herman Ese’ese next season.

This team is capable of making the top eight next year.

And cheering them on will be the most loyal and fanatical supporter group in the competition.

That they still get 15,000 to home games after two years of misery is unbelievable.