Powerful warning on why Billy Slater must be banned for shoulder charge
THE brother of the late James Ackerman, who died from a shoulder charge in 2015, has issued a heartfelt message about why Billy Slater must be banned from playing in the grand final.
NRL
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THE brother of the late James Ackerman, the footballer tragically killed three years ago as the result of a shoulder charge, has issued a powerful warning to NRL boss Todd Greenberg: “Billy Slater should miss the grand final”.
In heartfelt message posted on Facebook, Andrew Ackerman also hit out at Channel 9 commentators Phil Gould and Andrew Johns, claiming they have “no hearts in their bodies”.
Slater will fight his charge at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night.
The retiring Melbourne superstar has received some high profile support as to why he should be allowed to play in Sunday night’s decider against the Sydney Roosters.
But Andrew Ackerman was adamant Slater’s tackle on Cronulla’s Sosaia Feki was a shoulder charge.
And he warned Greenberg if Slater was not suspended “there is going to be a lot of unhappy people out there. And every one of my family members like me will be voicing their opinion”.
“Once again, when the shoulder charge comes into play this bloke right here (he pointed to a picture of James) is mentioned,” Andrew said.
“Now he is dead as the result of a shoulder charge.”
He said he was “sick” of his family having to relive the pain.
“I want to swear. I want to scream. I want to break something,” he continued.
“But I am not that type of bloke. I am not a keyboard warrior. I want to get on here, show my face and show my feelings.
“Now Billy Slater should be found guilty. I know there was no malice nor intent to hurt in this tackle. No one was injured. But a shoulder charge was used.”
He said nowhere in the definition of a shoulder charge did it say “that if a player is going to play his last game in a grand final he should be let off”.
“I just want to point out that I have no hate towards Billy Slater or the Melbourne Storm,” he added.
“My hate and my family’s hate is for the shoulder charge, whether it be minimal, medium or very bad.
“So this is a stern warning to the NRL and Todd Greenberg … let’s just hope you make the right decision. Or someone, whoever is on the judiciary, makes the right decision.”
Andrew also appealed to Slater personally, asking: “Why couldn’t you wrap your arms around the bloke?
“You know the rules. Play by the rules. You are a great player, Billy, no one is denying that.
“You have won premierships. You have won Origins …. You have done it all.
“If you happen to miss your grand final come next week because of a shoulder charge so be it.”
He then took aim at Gould and Johns along with fellow Channel 9 commentator Paul Vautin.
“These guys have done it before. They will do it again,” he said.
“No hearts in their bodies really … you just make me shake my head. To give them credit they have stuck by their opinions. They believe the shoulder charge should be brought back in.
“I believe they are wrong. And I have the right reason to believe they are wrong.
“I have these photos all throughout this house. This house is my brother’s house that he can’t live in.
“His kids are here. He can’t see them. His mum is here. She can’t see her boy anymore.
“Dad is here, no son. I have got no brother. My other brother Tom has got no brother.
“And all because of a shoulder charge. Which is why I voice my opinion.
“I don’t care who you are or where you are from … we shouldn’t see shoulder charges anymore.
“And if we do jump on them and get rid of the blokes who use them.
“Same with spear tackles. Same with cheap shots.
“I don’t care how tough you are or how tough the game was or if fans are leaving.
“I couldn’t give a shit. None of that is going to bring my brother back.
“Get rid of it. Billy Slater should miss the grand final. That is it.”
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