Canberra Raiders prop David Shillington insists the NRL has no option to bin the shoulder charge forever but teammate Josh Papalii believes fine exponents of the craft are paying the price.
Sydney Rooster Kane Evans' massive hit on Friday night which sent Canterbury giant Sam Kasiano cartwheeling has sparked debate whether shoulder charges should be made legal.
The Australian Rugby League Commission banned them before the 2013 season, which polarised opinion between players and fans.
Papalii, voted the second biggest hitter in the game in Rugby League Week's players poll behind Nigel Plum, has always been a critic of the practice being banned and voiced his disapproval three years ago.
Evans was penalised for his hit but later escaped any charge from the match review committee.
But after Sunshine Coast Falcons player James Ackerman's tragic passing after being hit by a shoulder charge, Shillington was adamant it must remain illegal.
"I used to love the shoulder charge when it was legal, it was unreal to see that shot on the weekend, but unfortunately it's banned and that's the way it's got to stay I think," Shillington said.
"Player welfare comes first and we've seen a couple of really terrible things happen in different competitions to players from shoulder charges.
"It was time to stamp it out when they did and it's got to stay that way."
However, one of the game's best hit men Papalii believes it should return as it penalises players who can execute them safely.
"I think there's a few things the NRL can do to fix that. I was never a fan of the shoulder charge going, we've all got a rap now," he said.
"Hopefully they bring it back, but they also have to look after the head injuries by doing that.
"If you're able to do a shoulder charge but not hit the head... hopefully the NRL brings it back.
"I didn't imagine Kasiano going down like that, it was a good shot though."
Parramatta Eels legend Peter Sterling has used his various media commitments to support the return of the shoulder charge, a stance backed by Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen.
However the likes of Sonny Bill Williams, one of the best executors of it during his time in league, have backed its ban.
Meanwhile, Papalii is off contract at Canberra at the end of next season and Fairfax Media reported last month the Raiders are keen to upgrade and extend the Queensland back rower as well as Blake Austin, Jack Wighton and Shannon Boyd.
Talks will be ramped up after Canberra's season is over and Papalii, who now has a young daughter, doesn't want to go anywhere.
"I've said before in a lot of articles I'd love to stay at the Raiders for life, but that depends on how I'm playing footy and how the club's going," he said.
"I've still got two years to go on my contract so there's nothing happening there yet, I do know when it comes to next year we'll be looking."
