The brother of James Ackerman, the player who died recently after a Queensland Cup match, has called on the NRL to keep the shoulder charge banned and "never bring it back".
Andrew Ackerman made the comments as NSW Origin captain Paul Gallen went on Sydney radio to support the return of the shoulder charge to rugby league as long as the contact is not made with the head.
James Ackerman
James Ackerman, 25, passed away from head injuries after a shoulder charge that last week resulted in an eight match suspension for Brisbane Broncos forward Francis Molo.
Debate about whether the shoulder charge should be banned has re-surfaced in the wake of Sydney Roosters prop Kane Evans spectacular hit on Canterbury's Sam Kasiano during last Friday night's match at Allianz Stadium, with many commentators and former players hailing the tackle.
Sam Kasiano reels backwards after being hit by Kane Evans,
Evans was penalised but not suspended as the tackle only results in a judiciary charge if contact is made with the head or neck of an opponent, or it creates a whiplash effect - a decision that was also met with criticism.
Andrew Ackerman said he had also been opposed to the ban on shoulder charges, which was introduced last season, but had now changed his mind after his brother's death and felt moved to respond to calls from the likes of Peter Sterling, Paul Gallen and Kasiano to reverse the decision in a passionate Facebook post.
"My Brother loved nothing more than to put a good shot on, this being said it was fair and it was within the rules," Ackerman wrote on the Facebook page, Support For Ackers#8.
Posted by Support for Ackers #8 on Sunday, August 2, 2015
"James gave a lot over the years but he also received his fare share of whacks. He was intimidating and if you were the opposition you would make sure he was always in sight.
"Over the last few days I have read a few articles about the shoulder charge, ex footballers and current footballers have given there views.
"Until my brother sadly passed away I did agree with them, I loved nothing more than seeing a good shot come off and there was no prouder moment than seeing my Brother get the better of someone.
"We can all argue about it and have our own opinions but let me put this to you, what if it was your Son, Daddy, Husband, Brother, Grandson, Uncle, Aunty, Nephew, Cousin on the end of that tackle?
"What if you woke up every morning and you couldn't see that person again? Would the game of Rugby League mean anything to you anymore? There is nothing worse for my family than to have to wake up everyday and having that moment play over and over in our heads.
"Yes life must go on, but it will never be the same. I'll let the so called experts have their opinions but mine is keep it banned and never bring it back!! Love ya Jamesy."
Sunshine Coast Rugby League player James Ackerman.
Cronulla captain Paul Gallen said shoulder charges like the one made by Evans should be re-introduced, but those that make contact with the head should be punished severely as a deterrent.
"I just think they should bring it back to be honest with you," Gallen told Sky Sports Radio. "I just think, if you're going to shoulder charge someone and it's going to go wrong and you hit someone in the head, they're going to have to mark it really, really hard and give you weeks on the sideline. If it comes off like the one on the weekend, well, you know, play on."
Gallen acknowledged the charge is a "risky play", but said the mandatory penalty for all shoulder charges on the field was especially disadvantageous for NRL teams.
Sharks skipper Paul Gallen says there should be no penalty for players who execute a low shoulder charge. Photo: Getty Images
"A penalty in rugby league is big these days, especially from the kick, gifting a team field position coming out of their own end," he said.
Since the introduction of the ban, the numbers of players charged for a shoulder charge has decreased from 11 last year to three this year - Brisbane forwards James Gavet and Adam Blair and departed Parramatta halfback Chris Sandow.
All three tackles were deemed to have made contact with the head, whereas Evans hit Kasiano low and escaped a charge.
The reason is because of the tough penalties imposed, as the shoulder charge is the only offence in the NRL judiciary code where a grade one charge results in a player being suspended even if they have a clean record and plead guilty.
A grade one shoulder charge is worth 200 demerit points, with each 100 points equating to a one match suspension, and each charge increases by 150 points up to 800 points for a grade five charge.
Players who perform a shoulder charge but do not make contact with the head are penalised by the referee and risk a heavy suspension if the tackle goes wrong.
