The NRL will need to prove Kevin Proctor bit Shaun Johnson without the Cronulla halfback’s evidence if the Gold Coast captain is charged with biting.
Proctor on Saturday became the first player in the NRL’s 112-year history to be sent off for biting, after the NRL’s bunker ruled he sunk his teeth into Shaun Johnson’s arm in Gold Coast’s 30-18 loss.
In a bizarre series of events, Johnson blew up on field over the incident but then later made up with his Kiwis teammate and said he would not pursue the matter.
“What happens on the field stays no the field, we don’t need to talk about it now,” Johnson said on Fox League post match.
“I don’t see the value of taking it any further than what’s happened here today.
“I love him as a player and person and I’ve got nothing more to say about it.”
That, however, could all be irrelevant when the NRL releases its charge sheet on Sunday.
The NRL has several options, with the most likely being that Proctor is charged with biting and automatically referred straight to the judiciary without a suggested ban length announced.
Other unlikely alternatives include dangerous contact, contrary conduct or detrimental conduct, which would likely see lesser punishments.
Titans coach Justin Holbrook defended his player on Saturday, claiming Proctor should not have been sent off and Johnson had apologised over the incident.
“Both players know each other really well and they both have exchanged words to each other,” Holbrook said.
“One has apologised and Kevin wasn’t the one who apologised.
“It’s the first time in the history of the game someone has been sent off for biting.
“I just want the process to continue the way it always has done in the history of the game. Not have people stop and make comments on it.”
It came on a horror day for the Titans, with Jai Arrow (shoulder) and Dale Copley (pec) both suffering potentially serious injuries.
Any lengthy ban would threaten to derail Proctor’s career, given he is off contract and no certainty to be re-signed.
The Titans captain was in tears in the sheds after being sent off, while he claimed on field Johnson was choking him in a tackle when the alleged bite occurred.
Just four players have been found guilty of biting since the Super League war in the 1990s.
James Graham’s penalty of 12 games is the most significant after his infamous 2012 grand final ear bite on Billy Slater.
Melbourne prop Jesse Bromwich was the most recent to front the judiciary on such a charge, found not guilty of biting Josh Dugan in 2015.
On that occasion Dugan offered evidence in the hearing.
NRL PLAYERS CHARGED WITH BITING
Round 2, 2001: Chris Beattie (Cronulla) – guilty, two weeks
Round 21, 2002: Luke Bailey (St George Illawarra) – exonerated
Round 14, 2006: Fuifui Moimoi (Parramatta) – exonerated
Round 21, 2007: Brad Morrin (Canterbury) – guilty, eight weeks
Round 3, 2008: Jarrad Saffy (St George Illawarra) – exonerated
Round 23, 2009: William Zillman (Gold Coast) – guilty, 4 weeks
Round 23, 2010: Scott Bolton (North Queensland) – exonerated
Grand final, 2012: James Graham (Canterbury) – guilty, 12 weeks
Round 21, 2015: Jesse Bromwich (Melbourne) – exonerated
Source: Fox Sports Stats
