Panthers forward Reagan Campbell-Gillard is in a Gold Coast hospital, in a lot of pain, with two fractured vertebrae, following a tackle from Titan's forward Ryan James. James may have broken a couple of bones with this hit on Reagan, but he did not break any rules. The NRL match review committee were correct in their decision not to charge him. There are plenty of people claiming his "hit" was "not in the spirit of the game". The brutal truth is that the tackle was completely within the spirit of our game. He saw an opportunity to dish out punishment and he took it.
The real problem comes in how this opportunity was created and how Campbell-Gillard became so vulnerable and unprotected. People looking for someone to blame for this situation need look no further than the NRL and those in charge of game rules and interpretations. These are the people responsible for the evolution of modern-day tackling techniques and why we have been through 20 years of absurdity around the tackle and play-the-ball process. NRL coaches have campaigned for changes to rule interpretations, mainly out of self-interest rather than what was in the best interests of the game. This whole debacle has been exacerbated by journalists and media commentators who have campaigned on behalf of their favourite coach and his demands, rather than what's actually right for the game. The NRL and referees have been weak and naive in being so easily influenced by these selfish agendas. It's all about everyone's obsession with the speed of the play-the-ball.
It's an obsession that has led directly to the introduction of skin-tight jerseys, voluntary tackles, ridiculous stripping rules, wrestle coaches, judo instructors, grapple tackles, leg locks, arm locks, head locks, leg lifts, leg pulls, crusher tackles, prowler tackles, cannon-ball tackles – the list goes on and on. To every action by referees, there has been an equal and opposite reaction from coaches. Trust me, we haven't seen the end of this stuff by a long shot. I can run you through the history of how tackle techniques have evolved. I will debate anyone, any time on this issue. But until such times as we have people running the game who actually know the game, people who are tough enough to stand up to coaches and media campaigns, these issues will never be solved and our players will always be at risk. Rest assured, both Campbell-Gillard and James are victims here. They are victims of a system that is totally out of control.
Sharks will beat Storm
I believe Cronulla will defeat Melbourne this weekend and win the 2016 minor premiership. From the start of the season I have favoured the Sharks to win this year's title. Last weekend's demolition of the Sydney Roosters confirmed to me they have woken from their late-season form slump and are ready for an assault on finals football. I see the Sharks' major assets being their experience, arrogance and confidence. They also have an extraordinary ability to score tries when they need them. Their defence isn't perfect, but when the blowtorch is applied they can frustrate the rhythm of opposition teams with their spoiling antics. There is also a sense of timing about this team. It feels like destiny. The Storm were comprehensively beaten by the Broncos last Friday night at home. I don't agree with the notion that they weren't "up" for the occasion. I just think they were beaten by a better team. The Sharks represent another huge obstacle for them this weekend.
Bulldogs to bounce back
The Bulldogs have everyone stumped. They just can't seem to find their old attacking rhythm at the moment. Mind you, no one is stupid enough to be writing them off as a genuine contender in this year's finals series. Everyone knows the quality of this team and just how brilliant and ruthless they can be when at their best. Their match this Friday against South Sydney is crucial. Quite simply, they need a kill. (Actually, can I say that? In the current climate, is that statement seen to be crossing the line on some score of political correctness? Oh well, too late now!) Yep, the Bulldogs need a big win against South Sydney as a much-needed confidence boost on the eve of the finals. The Rabbitohs are in great touch and look to be enjoying their football again. They will be keen to finish the season on a high, particularly against one of their old rivals. I think the Bulldogs will bounce back this week. They will win.
Club championship on the line
Matt Moylan's Panthers are on a quest for a club first. Photo: Getty Images
Saturday's minor premiership showdown between the Storm and the Sharks will have a huge bearing on which club will win this year's NRL club championship. The Sharks lead the Panthers by two points heading into the final round with four points up for grabs for each club across their two grades this weekend. It is somewhat fitting that, as both clubs celebrate their 50th anniversary, they are the only clubs left in the hunt for the club championship. If the Sharks win both grades (NYC and NRL) on Saturday they will claim their second club championship, having won it under the old format in 1995. If they manage just one win, the Panthers will take the title on Sunday if they can win both grades against Manly, due to a greater points differential across the two grades. If Sharks lose both grades then the Panthers will claim the title with just one win on Sunday. If the Panthers are successful it would be their first club championship title.
Broncos farewell Parker
Thursday night should see a packed Suncorp Stadium for Brisbane's final home and away game of the season, giving Broncos and Queensland fans an opportunity to pay tribute to the retiring Corey Parker. In the history of the game only one player (Darren Lockyer) has played more games for a single club and only three players (Lockyer, Terry Lamb and Steve Menzies) have played more first-grade games. It has been an extraordinary career, as I detailed in my column on Sunday. Parker will retire as one of the Broncos' greats. In the 29-year history of the Broncos he has been their finest lock. In the 37-year history of Queensland State Of Origin football he is, alongside Bob Lindner, one of their two greatest locks of all time. Amazingly, he played 13 of his 19 Origin matches and 12 of his 13 Tests after reaching the age of 30. This is his 16th season in the NRL. For a player who has played a lot of his football in the middle of the ruck – and for many years playing 80 minutes per match – that is remarkable. He is the last remaining Bronco to have played alongside a member of Brisbane's 1993 grand final side and is one of three Broncos from their 2006 premiership team still at the club. The attention Parker receives this week may be a little overwhelming but it is truly deserved, For Parker, his attention will be singularly focused on helping the Broncos win another premiership, and that's why he is so admired by those who have played alongside him.
Well played Lyon
The NRL era has produced three outstanding right centres. Mark Gasnier, Justin Hodges and Jamie Lyon were born within seven months of each other and were members of the 1999 Australian Schoolboys side (Hodges and Gasnier were also members of the 1998 squad). Gasnier and Hodges retired in recent years and now Lyon has played his final NRL game. I wrote about him on the weekend, but his base career statistics don't necessarily tell the tale of what an outstanding player he has been. Lyon bid farewell to the Brookvale faithful on the weekend, a club for which he played over 200 NRL games, including four grand finals and two premierships. The way the game is played these days quality centres are rarely as instrumental in the teams achievements as they once were, unless they go looking for opportunities outside of the standard attacking plays that might come their way. For Hodges and Gasnier it was the extra work they did at dummy half from inside their own half that made them so valuable. For Lyon, he became a vital player on last-tackle plays with an uncanny ability to take the right option even when confronted by multiple defenders. Lyon, like Hodges and Gasnier, was also an outstanding defender. His has had a stellar career and retires as one of the best from his era.
Phil Gould is the general manager of football at the Penrith Panthers
