Spear Tackles

[Stido]

Luke McDougall ended up taking the early plea & got 10 weeks out of the game. Did others see the tackle? I cringed when I saw it as I reckon it was one of the worst I have seen in a long time. When they showed the replays over & over it actually made my eyes water it was so bad.

IMO he got off light getting 10 weeks, especially when you consider he's already been suspended this year for a dangerous throw.. So I thought I'd poll what others thought.

[Granty]

Considering the early guilty plea *and* the lack of injury then I think 10 weeks is a fair penalty.

If he had injured Anthony Minichiello though, then he'd be looking at a much higher penalty.

[Ianc]

If he had injured Anthony Minichiello though, then he'd be looking at a much higher penalty.

IMO that shouldn't make a difference, especially in this case. It was lucky that Minichiello wasn't hurt. I think McDougall should have got more but at least it was the max.

[Granty]

If he had injured Anthony Minichiello though, then he'd be looking at a much higher penalty.

IMO that shouldn't make a difference, especially in this case.
Why?

That's how it is out here in the "real world" :scratch:.

Get into a fight with someone but don't cause any serious injuries and you will be less harshly dealt with that if you get into a fight with someone and cause serious injuries.


It was lucky that Minichiello wasn't hurt. I think McDougall should have got more but at least it was the max.
If Minichiello did get hurt they would of referred the offence direct to the judicary and McDougall would be looking at a Hopoate lengh suspension (or worse).

[Ianc]

If he had injured Anthony Minichiello though, then he'd be looking at a much higher penalty.

IMO that shouldn't make a difference, especially in this case.
Why?

That's how it is out here in the "real world" :scratch:.

Get into a fight with someone but don't cause any serious injuries and you will be less harshly dealt with that if you get into a fight with someone and cause serious injuries.


It was lucky that Minichiello wasn't hurt. I think McDougall should have got more but at least it was the max.


If Minichiello did get hurt they would of referred the offence direct to the judicary and McDougall would be looking at a Hopoate lengh suspension (or worse).

I agree that it works like that in the "real world", I don't agree with it working that way. If there is intent/carelessness/recklessness involved, then that should be the only determining factor.
If Minichiello got hurt and Mcdougall was referred straight to the judicary then the only difference between that and what happened was "luck". IMO that shouldn't be a determining factor.

[nq_gurl]

personally i think he did the smart thing in accepting the 10 weeks for an early guilty plea as i dont believe he would have gotten out of the 14 weeks that would have been thrown his way.

[Stido]

Considering the early guilty plea *and* the lack of injury then I think 10 weeks is a fair penalty.

If he had injured Anthony Minichiello though, then he'd be looking at a much higher penalty.

If he had injured Minichiello more likely than not the injury (depending on the level) would have meant the rest of his life having to use a wheelchair, little or no movement or feeling in his upper torso & limbs, no feeling or movement at all in his lower torso & limbs and if the injury was very high in the neck (which there was definate potential for given the tackle) he could've had to rely on a ventilator to help him breathe.

Sorry Granty, but I agree with Ian. Lack of injury should not come into calculations with these type of tackles because it is too late when there is an injury. Gotta rub this sort of tackle out of the game.

In my opinion if the offender has already faced the judiciary for the same offence (especially in the current season) then they shouldn't have the early guilty plea option.

[cowboyfromhellgong]

its a lucky dip, thats for sure.
hopoate would have copped it, same with morley, but someone like Luke Ricketson probably would've got 3 weeks

[Ianc]

its a lucky dip, thats for sure.
hopoate would have copped it, same with morley, but someone like Luke Ricketson probably would've got 3 weeks

I don't think he would of got that long. LOL