Rivals Newcastle might disagree but Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin believes the shoulder charge ban is working in the wake of Knights forward Kade Snowden’s seven-match suspension.
On the eve of Brisbane’s must-win NRL clash with the Knights at Suncorp Stadium, Griffin said while shoulder charges had been a rarity this year since the rule was enforced, players would get the message following Snowden’s lengthy ban.
Newcastle were fuming after Snowden reluctantly accepted a seven-match ban rather than risk a nine-week suspension for a hit that broke North Queensland hooker Ray Thompson’s jaw in two places.
Knights boss Matt Gidley complained that the severity of Thompson’s injury from the “innocuous tackle” ensured Snowden was hit with a grade-four charge.
Coincidentally, Snowden has been replaced by ex-Test prop Willie Mason who will play his first match since having his cheekbone broken by a controversial Sonny Bill Williams shoulder charge last month.
In light of Snowden’s ban, Gidley hinted Williams only escaped with a two-game suspension for a grade-three careless high tackle because he did not tender Mason’s medical report to the match review committee at the time.
Test captain Cameron Smith has also weighed into the debate, saying the NRL’s attempts to eliminate the shoulder charge had only served to create confusion among players.
But Griffin believed the shoulder charge ban was working.
“It is terrible to see the boy with the broken jaw but unfortunately that is part of the collision of the game,” he said.
“Everyone knows the shoulder charge is banned now and unfortunately two players were caught in a situation and one was injured and other suspended, but everyone understands the rules.
“They are getting it out of the game. You see someone gets nine (sic) weeks – the message is getting through.
“But I don’t think it is an epidemic or getting more regular in the game – it’s a rarity now to see that.”
Griffin was not breathing any easier after Snowden’s suspension.
“Willie is an old pro – we are not thinking they are understrength,” he said.
Brisbane are just one point outside the top eight but sit 13th on a congested NRL ladder, ensuring they must win their final two games to remain in the finals hunt.
The last time they clashed, the teams drew 18-18 a month ago in Newcastle.
But Griffin was more interested in watching replays of their last-round 28-12 loss at Penrith when reserve hooker James Segeyaro exploited their lack of marker defence.
“I thought we did very well to get out of it with a point,” Griffin said of the draw.
“I thought we showed a ton of character.
“Both teams are under pressure (on Friday night). It is going to be a dog fight.”
Meanwhile, Griffin was forced into another backline reshuffle after replacing winger Jordan Kahu (quad) with Lachlan Maranta.
