Bulldogs forward Luke Thompson accused of eye gouging
It may be the final regular round of the season but controversy still reigns with a star Bulldog accused of one of the dirtiest acts in rugby league.
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The Penrith No.11 carving up an opposition has been a familiar theme these year. Only this time is wasn’t Viliame Kikau.
The Panthers left ANZ Stadium with the JJ Giltinan Shield and a belief they will return to the same venue next month and lift the premiership trophy. But for now they head into the finals on a 15-game winning run after beating Canterbury 42-0.
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Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said you “can’t be anything but happy” with his team.
“Make no mistake, we are not in the sheds celebrating over the top,” Cleary said. “It’s a good achievement (winning the minor premiership). It’s given us a good chance to go into the finals and give ourselves every chance to win the premiership.
“I thought the Dogs didn’t roll over. It was a real battle in the first half. To keep them to zero, I was happy with that.”
Kikau has toyed with opposition defenders on the left edge this year. He was rested from the match but the torment continued with replacement Kurt Capewell scoring two first half tries in a game where Canterbury prop Luke Thompson was placed on report for eye gouging.
While Capewell crossed twice it was Jarome Luai who created the damage laying on three tries.
Penrith’s first try came on the right edge through Brian To’o after just seven minutes but the rest of the action was on Luai’s side with the Panthers scoring three tries in the final eight minutes of the opening half to lead 22-0.
To’o failed to finish the game with an ankle injury.
EYE GOUGE DRAMA
Thompson was placed on report for allegedly eye-gouging Penrith skipper James Tamou. Tamou made an on-field complaint to referee Henry Perenara in the 15th minute with Perenara calling out Bulldogs skipper Josh Jackson to place Thompson on report. Replays showed Thompson made contact with Tamou’s eyes as the England international attempted to make a tackle.
Tamou played down the incident when interviewed by Fox League at half time.
Not a good look this eye gouge by Luke Thompson #NRLBulldogsPanthers pic.twitter.com/xylmbCKDqX
— Rob Sutherland (@rob_sutherland3) September 26, 2020
“I was hoping to get the penalty,” Tamou said. “I just felt something there, my eyes were closed. I don’t think there was much in it. I think there was a bit of emotion being their last game of the year. I think it’s all good.”
Rugby league greats were unaminous in comdeming the alleged dirty act and predicting a significant ban.
“That’s a finger in the eye. That’s no good,” said Ben Ikin in commentary. “An obvious eye gouge by Luke Thompson.”
Cooper Cronk said: “The footage is damning ... Luke Thompson will likely be facing the judiciary”.
Mal Meninga also weighed in saying: “He obviously had his finger in his eye, he’s in trouble.”
Bulldogs coach Steve Georgallis said he expected Thompson to be cleared.
If Luke Thompson is found guilty of an eye gouge, then he should sit out 20 weeks minimum.
— Andrew Ferguson (@AndrewRLP) September 26, 2020
Gotta be very heavy handed with penalties for eye gouging.#NRLBulldogsPanthers
I wouldn’t say it’s a blatant eye gouge as Ikin has called it. Looks bad in slow mo, but in normal speed could look like an accident. Thompson looking down with his eyes closed. Opens them and he retracts very quickly. Accidental.
— N. Cook (@cookieman1990) September 26, 2020
NO LUCK
Veteran Aiden Tolman might have spent his final match watching on. The off-contract prop injured his calf in the warm-up and was unable to take his place. Tolman said he wants to play on.
“It is one of those things,” Tolman said. “I’ve been lucky in my career. It was disappointing not to play my last game. I consider my game last week against the Rabbitohs was my last.
“I would love to keep playing. I haven’t retired yet. I know it won’t be here. I’ve had a great 10 years at the club.”
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Teammate Jayden Okunbor will miss a large chunk of next season after the winger ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while Raymond Faitala-Mariner (ankle) failed to finish the game.
It was more of the same for the Bulldogs who struggled to make a dent with the ball. While they avoided the wooden spoon incoming coach Trent Barrett has plenty of work to do in the off-season after watching on from the Panthers coaches’ box.
Georgallis said the path forward is “not going to be easy” despite showing “a few good signs for next year” while Cleary joked that Barrett grimaced every time a Bulldogs player stayed down injured.
