Titans ask if Shaun Johnson will give evidence for Kevin Proctor

Gold Coast have asked Cronulla whether Shaun Johnson will give evidence on behalf of former teammate and Titans captain Kevin Proctor.

Kevin Proctor was referred straight to the judiciary by the match review committee on Sunday afternoon amid allegations he bit Shaun Johnson on the arm.

Gold Coast made an approach to Cronulla late on Sunday night to gauge whether star halfback Shaun Johnson would be willing to give evidence on behalf of Titans captain Kevin Proctor at the NRL judiciary.

Proctor was referred straight to the judiciary by the match review committee on Sunday afternoon amid allegations he bit Johnson on the arm – it is understood it was done with a recommendation that he receive anywhere from four to eight weeks on the sidelines.

With six games remaining in the season, and potentially Proctor’s career on the Coast on the line, his future is very much in the hands of the judiciary panel.

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Johnson played down the incident immediately following full-time on Saturday afternoon and it appears the Titans would like him to reiterate those comments at Tuesday night’s hearing.

While Johnson is believed to be reluctant to give evidence against Proctor, he is likely to speak to Sharks management over potentially appearing on behalf of his New Zealand teammate.

Prosecutor Peter McGrath will build his case largely on video evidence, the report of referee Henry Perenara and any evidence of a mark on Johnson’s arm.

Former match review committee chairman Greg McCallum said Johnson’s reluctance to give evidence against Proctor would have no bearing on the case.

Proctor claimed he was finding it hard to breathe. That is unlikely to wash with the panel either according to McCallum.
“I don’t think there was much force in it,” McCallum said.

“I wouldn’t think his life was at stake. Basically what they have to prove was that there was pressure by the teeth and mount.

“Part of it would be if there was a wound. Normally you would have the touch judge witness that there was a wound there.
“With James Graham and Billy Slater, there was a wound there and that was a major part of that case. Players go through their whole career without doing much at all and then all of a sudden there will be a reaction to something.”

Proctor has an impeccable judiciary record but it threatens to be soiled in the worst possible way. There are few allegations that sting as much as biting.

“I will be telling the NRL judiciary I didn’t bite Shaun Johnson,” Proctor told News Corp.

“My record in this game speaks for itself. I didn’t bite him, I am 100 per cent on that. I will fight to the death to clear my name.

“Rugby league has been going on for 112 years and no-one has ever been sent off for alleged biting. I’m so pissed off about this.

“To be accused of biting someone is the lowest thing you can face as a footballer. I don’t want to be portrayed as a biter because no player in the NRL wants to be seen as a dirty player like that.”

Meanwhile, there was support for Penrith centre Brent Naden from his home town of Wellington over the weekend as the game continued to deal with the fall out from Friday night’s racial abuse at Central Coast Stadium.

Naden was abused by a handful of spectators who were thrown out of the ground. The NRL was identifying the spectators over the weekend as they attempted to find out who exactly was responsible for the abuse.

The guilty party or parties can expect lifetime bans. Police may yet get involved, although that will hinge on whether Naden makes a formal complaint.

“Being an NRL player in today’s society is a tough gig,” Wellington Rugby League wrote on social media.

“You are under the spotlight and your popularity is only as good as your last game. The public often forget they are real people who’s (sic) job is to play footy.
“We love our boys in the NRL and we love to watch them, support them and cheer for them. Times will be tough for them, but we hope they always know that we just want them to achieve the best they can in a world that can sometimes be a little cruel and judgmental.”