Opinion
There’s no excuse for biting. Kyle Flanagan should have copped longer than four weeks
Andrew Johns
League columnistThere’s a saying in Brazilian jiu-jitsu which goes, “he who controls the head, controls the body”. There’s never been a more apt example than Stephen Crichton’s tackle on Kyle Flanagan last Saturday night.
This is where the game is at with wrestling techniques having long infiltrated the NRL about 20 years ago.
Kyle Flanagan departs the judiciary hearing for the charge of biting Stephen Crichton.Credit: Wolter Peeters
But regardless of what you think about where players put their head and hands to control a tackled player in the ruck, no one should ever be bitten.
Let’s cut to the chase: Flanagan’s punishment was lenient. The video evidence was damning and, in my opinion, if he was found guilty at the judiciary, a suspension of between six and eight matches would have been much more appropriate than four.
Remember when James Graham copped 12 matches for biting Billy Slater in the 2012 grand final? Well, I’m not sure how the more recent sanctions for Kevin Proctor, Jack Wighton and Flanagan line up with his.
I’ve heard critics say the pushing and shoving we saw in the State of Origin melee was a bad look for the game, but this is worse. There’s just no excuse for biting.
The Dragons have to get on with their season now without their five-eighth and see if they can squeeze into the finals when Flanagan will be available.
But the NRL judiciary panel should have ensured he had no chance of playing again this year, regardless of whether St George Illawarra made the top eight.
Storm best suited to slippery conditions
Are we about to see the grand final preview on Thursday night? Maybe, but one thing more likely is it could decide the minor premiership.
The Storm won’t get a better chance to knock over the Panthers, who I think are vulnerable in wet weather matches.
But I can’t get out of my head their losses last year in the World Club Challenge, the game against the Tigers in Bathurst and earlier this year against the Dragons, albeit both teams were missing their State of Origin stars.
And with this rain hanging around Sydney all week, it’s going to be a slippery surface at BlueBet Stadium, which should lend itself to a low-scoring contest.
Melbourne Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster.Credit: Getty Images
Both teams have champions all over the park and there will be a massive battle in the forwards.
The Storm look to have an edge on their bench, which looks far stronger and more balanced to me with the inclusion of Tyran Wishart, who has been sensational for Craig Bellamy’s side this year.
One player I watched closely last week was Panthers hooker Mitch Kenny. He might not get many plaudits, but trust me when I say he’s at the heart of everything good they do and every team needs a player like him.
He changed the momentum of last week’s miraculous win over the Eels with a huge tackle on Reagan Campbell-Gillard and led their energy and line speed all match.
The battle between Nathan Cleary and Cameron Munster on the same side of the field will be captivating.
Mitch Kenny is a crucial member of the Panthers team.Credit: Getty
I’ve got the feeling Munster is getting ready to explode in one of these matches as he comes back from injury, and I can’t say enough good things about the way Jahrome Hughes has controlled this team while his partner in crime was on the sidelines.
I think it will be a very close contest. But I’m not convinced the Panthers are in great form at the moment and this is Melbourne’s chance to land a blow before the finals.
Joey’s tip: Storm by 8
First try-scorer: Will Warbrick
Man of the match: Cameron Munster
Origin duties in Galvin’s future
One thing I try to do when I’m commentating matches is watch how halves react off the ball. I had a good look at Tigers teenager Lachlan Galvin last week during their clash against the Knights in Newcastle.
This 19-year-old is trying to carry this team on his shoulders at the moment. Anything good last weekend came from either Galvin or fullback Jahream Bula. The Tigers need more from their experienced players.
You can see that physically, Galvin still needs a lot of work. In another two or three years, he might be eight or 10 kilograms heavier and able to handle the rigours of week-in, week-out NRL.
What I was most impressed by was how busy he was off the ball. When the ball went away from him, he was constantly talking to his forwards and getting them in the right formation for the next play or for later in the set. When touching the ball, he was handling two or three consecutive plays. Kids his age are not used to doing that in such an intense environment.
I’m excited about what he’ll do next year alongside Jarome Luai, who has surprised me with how well he’s played in the absence of Cleary this season. That will be one exciting halves pairing for Tigers fans.
In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Galvin and Isaiya Katoa partner each other in the halves for NSW in years to come.
But first, he needs help from some older heads at the Tigers.
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.