Mike_The_Undertaker wrote:
Surandy wrote:
Strange that Fitzy has been silent on the grapple tackle issue given that we are playing them this week. Perhaps he knows that his players do them too and he actually has a smidgeon of intelligence in that peanut brain of his?
Hagan has gone on about it somewhere.
I'm surprised it took Dennis the Menace, so long to open his mouth
Hindmarsh says Storm worst offenders
By Dean Ritchie
August 16, 2007 PARRAMATTA forward Nathan Hindmarsh has set up an explosive match tomorrow night by claiming that Melbourne is the NRL's most prolific grapple tackler.
Hindmarsh said last night that he would be "pretty p-----. off" if he became the victim of a grapple tackle.
The New South Wales and Australia forward said that Melbourne's dominance at the ruck had also been exposed.
Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald also named Melbourne as the chief experts at grapple tackling.
Storm has won 40 of its past 48 games, prompting Hindmarsh to say: "They are always good at dominating the ruck and opposition sides are now finding out how they are doing it and they're disagreeing.
"If I end up with a neck injury, I'll be pretty p----- off. The issue has been raised before with Melbourne. It isn't a one-off.
"From what you see, Melbourne - and I'm not sure if they are being targeted - do it more than any other team. A few images I saw on television seemed to be a bit more deliberate.
"I'm sure we're all guilty of doing it at some stage but (Melbourne) do do it.
Fitzgerald said the NRL and referees must closely scrutinise the grapple tackle.
"Ensuring players stay away from the head or neck region will ensure quicker play-the-balls which will benefit the game, especially in Melbourne where we are desperate tp attract more supporters," he said.
Parramatta interchange player P.J. Marsh is concerned at the grapple tackle drama, as he has had previous neck problems.
Marsh damaged neck ligaments in 2003 and was ruled out for the season.
"I've been cleared with my neck but it would worry me if I was grabbed there," Marsh said.
"The grapple tackle can't be good for anyone.
"I can't recall being grapple tackled but I've been grabbed around the neck a few times. I don't think it was intentional. It happens when you slip up and it happens to be around the neck.
"It is a dangerous area and it can be worrying."
The NRL will review the grapple tackle at the end of this season.
"We have instructed referees and the match review committee to remain vigilant for the rest of the year," NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said.
"However, at the end of the year we need all parties together to address a more permanent solution. We need this so that we're not dealing with the same issue every season."
Sharks coach Ricky Stuart is not blaming referees for the grapple tackle.
"The blokes on the sideline and in the video box - who consistently and too much are the in the ear of the referee - are the ones to blame," Stuart said.
"They should adjudicate and leave the referee alone. Let the ref adjudicate the game."