NRL great Aaron Woods has questioned the consistency of the match review committee after Sydney Roosters enforcer Victor Radley escaped suspension for three separate incidents over the weekend.
Radley was involved in a collision where his head made contact with Brisbane Broncos forward Pat Carrigan’s jaw. The MRC deemed the incident accidental, a decision that surprised many, including Radley himself.
He also avoided sanction for a hip-drop tackle on Josiah Karapani and a high tackle on Ben Talty.
Appearing on Fox Sports the following day, Radley learned he had been cleared of any serious charges and expressed genuine shock.
“Really, is this April Fools? I thought for sure something was coming,” Radley said.
Leading NRL journalist David Riccio argued that Radley deserved a sanction due to his incorrect tackling technique.
“I’ve got an issue with it,” Riccio said on Channel Seven’s The Agenda Setters: Rugby League.
“I think the onus is on the defender and certainly it is. Under the rules of the game, the onus is on the defender and he got that tackle technique wrong.”
The panel debated the inconsistencies of the MRC, comparing Radley’s incident to Jack Cogger receiving a ban for his tackle on Toluta’u Koula.
“Cogger ends up getting a week for his shot in the Manly game,” three-time NRL premiership winner Luke Keary said.
Aaron Woods shook his head in disbelief at the inconsistencies.
“So the NRL deemed it accidental, what about all the hip drops that are accidental?” Woods said.
“He leads in with the head ... I’m a huge Victor Radley fan, I think he’s one of the best defenders in the game.
“We’ve seen Sean Russell come out of the line on Easter Monday for Parramatta Eels and get stepped cold and then accidentally had a clash with Heamasi Makasini which was a penalty.
“What I love about that instance was, Carrigan does (rub his jaw) but he gets on and plays the ball.
“If he (Carrigan) stayed down, Radley’s in the (sin) bin for 10 (minutes).
“This is where the NRL frustrates me at times.”
Woods went on to say that it’s a “massive lottery” with these types of hits and it depends entirely on the injury outcome of the other player.
“I don’t think the NRL know what they’re doing at the moment, do they?
“Every time we see one of these knocks, it’s a massive lottery.
“If the player stays on the field, there would probably be a penalty.
“If they come off, you know it’s going to be a sin bin.
“How bad the injury is going to be, that’s what the length of the time is going to be on the sideline.”
