NRL 2021: Why league refuses to back away from high tackle controversy despite impact on Origin selections

The NRL says it won’t go soft on its high tackle crackdown regardless of what it might mean for State of Origin selections, writes Paul Crawley.

Victor Radley is placed on report by referee Peter Gough. Picture: Matt King/Getty

NRL stars on the verge of State of Origin selection will go into this weekend’s final round before the NSW and Queensland teams are named walking a high tackle crackdown tightrope – knowing one wrong slip could cost them a chance to play in the series opener in Melbourne on June 9.

Ahead of what’s shaping up to be a huge night at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday – when Roosters’ Origin hopefuls Victor Radley and Angus Crichton will front the panel, along with Canberra’s Elliott Whitehead – the big fear now is what impact the crackdown is going to have on selections for the game’s showpiece event if more players are rubbed out.

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There was a massive 29 charges in total coming out of round 11 as the game struggles to come to grips with the growing concussion concern that has divided opinion among players, coaches, experts and fans.

Already Queensland has lost Canberra enforcer Josh Papalii for Origin I, while Radley will also be out regardless of how he fares at the judiciary, and Crichton will be gone as well if he fails to beat a charge after pleading not guilty.

Canberra’s Josh Papalii is sent off during Round 10. Picture: Scott Davis

But asked if there was any chance of the NRL doing a late backflip ahead of this weekend’s games, head of football Graham Annesley was firm: “Every indication I have had is nothing is changing. It is business as usual.”

Annesley said the game’s officials were taking no joy out of seeing players cop onfield punishment as well as suspensions, but ultimately the biggest concern related to player welfare and reducing concussion injuries.

“The last thing we want to do is have players sent to the sin bin, have players sent off, have players suspended,” Annesley said.

“We want our stars on the field.

“But equally we don’t want players who can’t play in the games because they are suffering from head knocks.

“I mean, the quicker we all come to terms with it the better.

“But we have to make those adjustments that are necessary.”

And Annesley said the matches on the weekend between Canberra and Melbourne and also South Sydney and Penrith proved there doesn’t have to be sin bins or send offs if everyone plays by the rules.

“We had two games on the weekend where there were no sin bins for high tackles,” Annesley continued.

“So if it happened in two games it can happen in eight games, and the sooner we get there the better.”

Radley will front the judiciary knowing he’s already out of Origin I.

NRL head of football Graham Annesley says the league’s crackdown on high hits will continue. Picture: AAP Image/James Gourley

The tough lock has already pleaded guilty to a grade one dangerous contact charge that will put him out for one game.

And while he entered the early plea on a grade two careless high tackle charge, he will argue for a downgrade.

But even if successful his four match ban for that tackle will only be reduced to one game, meaning he will be out for two games at best and unavailable for NSW for the Melbourne match.

Crichton has pleaded not guilty and will miss two matches if he is found guilty for a late hit on Albert Kelly.

It’s the last thing NSW can afford with the backrow stocks looking thin with Boyd Cordner still out of action after the concussion injury he suffered in last year’s Origin series,while Souths Cam Murray is racing to recover from an ankle injury.

Another NSW contender, Parramatta’s prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard, was also charged for a high tackle on Monday.

Campbell-Gillard will be available with an early guilty plea.

Penrith’s Queenslander Kurt Capewell is also facing a one match ban for a crusher tackle.

SHINING LIGHT FOR BLUES IN SEA OF JUDICIARY DESPAIR

– Dean Ritchie

NSW have copped a double blow with Sydney Roosters duo Victor Radley and Angus Crichton set to miss the State of Origin opener at the MCG after both copped charges from the match review committee.

But in some good news for Brad Fittler, Eels enforcer Reagan Campbell-Gillard remains in Origin frame despite being hit with a grade two careless high tackle charge.

He would miss one week with an early guilty plea, making him available for the series opener, but risks a two-game ban if he fights the charge at he NRL judiciary.

Victor Radley was sent to the sin bin twice during his side’s loss to Brisbane.

Radley is facing a four-to-six-match ban after copping two charges from Saturday’s loss to Brisbane while Crichton is facing a two-game ban.

Radley, who was sin-binned twice and placed on report four times, will get four matches with early guilty pleas for two offences but faces a total of six matches if he fights and loses at the judiciary as the fallout continues from the controversial match.

He was also hit with a grade one dangerous contact charge for his tackle on Albert Kelly while he copped a grade two charge for his high shot on Tevita Pangai Junior.

Crichton was given a grade one dangerous contact charge for a first half tackle on Kelly.

With the Blues team set to be picked next Sunday, Radley needs a miracle if he wants to be available for the series opener on June 9 and game two on June 27.

Meanwhile, Penrith’s Queensland forward Kurt Capewell will also be free to play Origin I after he was issued a grade one crusher tackle charge, which comes with a one-week suspension.