Don’t risk shoulder charge in NRL: Maloney

Cronulla star James Maloney has some simple words of advice for his fellow NRL players if they don’t want to risk missing big end of season games – don’t shoulder charge.

Sharks rake Michael Ennis escaped with no charge from a controversial tackle on Melbourne’s Blake Green, while Jack Wighton is also free to play after facing the NRL judiciary over a shoulder charge on Wests Tigers forward Joel Edwards.

The shoulder charge had been banned since the 2013 season and Maloney said players had had plenty of time to adjust their tackling techniques.

“You can’t shoulder charge, it has been that way for a couple of years, they say as soon as you cock that elbow by your sides that is when you are in trouble,” he said.

“That is the biggest key to it really.

“Everyone knows that if you tread down that line, there could be consequences.”

Wighton was found not guilty of a shoulder charge on Wests Tigers forward Joel Edwards at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night.

He is free to play in the Raiders qualifying final clash with Cronulla in Canberra on Saturday.

“I have played a bit of footy with Jack in different sides and would be terrible to see him wiped out of games,” Maloney said of his Country Origin teammate.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!