Seems none of our players will miss any games though suspension

[King Salvo]

Agreed bud. On the other side of the coin, there have been some terrible head knocks from players making tackles, not just those getting knocked in the head by a tackler. If we reduce the tackling target or zone downward, it will open it up for even more defenders being knocked out cold from hips, legs and the like. To me, a player can be knocked senseless more as a tackler than the guy being tackled. Where's the welfare for the tackler?

They need to learn how to tackle again - poor technique in putting their head in the wrong place one has to say is the cause of what your mentioned and is self inflicted rather than any illegal play- Rugby union has outlawed above the shoulder tackle and the NRL need to follow suit.

A player can be concussed in a legal tackle when their head hits the ground

[King Salvo]

Stop it, you're being logical.

Therein lies the rub, and the limitation of this push for enhanced player welfare (think Jake Friend earlier this year or reed mahoney against the Roosters in R9). Yes, things will improve as players adjust; no, it will not eliminate head knocks to tacklers as rugby league is a collision sport. The NRL have made a rod for their own back in some ways.

Self inflicted concussions both that you mentioned though - Friend tackling upright and his head hitting the Manly players shoulder/head and Mahoney putting his head in the wrong place - poor tackling techniques. Players have learn how to tackle again and eliminate the high tackles from their game.

Along with high tackles they need to crack down on other tackles - this hip drop one for instance - same thing binned or sent off

[Big Dog]

I actually thought Sitili would miss a couple of weeks.

And I would be ok with that if the NRL are serious about concussions and player well being. Sitili needs to see footage of Bunny Reilly or Kevin Hastings around the legs tackling style.

[Johnny Brass]

Excellent post Johnny Brass. I felt for the sharks and that incident added another reason to the list that underpins my dislike of cody walker the vermin player.

I think it would be poetic justice if he is on the end of one of these calls in a big game and it cost them.

[rented tracksuit]

They need to learn how to tackle again - poor technique in putting their head in the wrong place one has to say is the cause of what your mentioned and is self inflicted rather than any illegal play- Rugby union has outlawed above the shoulder tackle and the NRL need to follow suit.

A player can be concussed in a legal tackle when their head hits the ground

And thats the problem. KS. The targeted tackle area is being aimed lower and smaller which might protect an attacker but quite the opposite for a defender. I really don't care what Yawnion does as their game is as boring as watching grass grow.

[ccfc bondi]

Every game we'll now be watching our tacklers nervously and hoping their arms don't accidentally bounce upwards in a tackle. Nice going V'landys!

[King Salvo]

And thats the problem. KS. The targeted tackle area is being aimed lower and smaller which might protect an attacker but quite the opposite for a defender. I really don't care what Yawnion does as their game is as boring as watching grass grow.

They have enough medical advice and info about concussions so to eliminate the ones they can control such as arm and shoulder one's hitting the players head then they must do it not only for player welfare but for litigation reasons too.- hence why Rugby has acted on this and introduced that rule.

More to be done though not only for these tackles but for the head slam ones/ hip drops/ the one when they pull the ball carrier backwards ( a third player is holding the lower legs and the other 2 pull the player the other way - it's not the hip drip one but just as dangerous - not sure what it is called) / crusher and all those other ones which are wrestling and judo inspired.

Players are going to have to learn better tackling techniques or find themselves spending more time on the sideline and eventually out of the game - they were speaking to McGuire before the Dragons vs Storm game about the rule changes and he was saying players have to careful and what not and what happens he commits two fouls and will be suspended for 5 to 7 games - I think Gould was saying he was a short priced favourite to be binned and put on report - some of these players are as sharp as a bowling ball to quote Fog Horn Leg Horn.

[King Salvo]

Every game we'll now be watching our tacklers nervously and hoping their arms don't accidentally bounce upwards in a tackle. Nice going V'landys!

It's the rules though not something new - The NRL lazily allowed this to happen by not having the match officials act on these incidents on the field when they happened and instead have Refs put players on report and have the MRC/Judiciary deal with it.

It's back to the way it should have been all along-enforce the rules and deal with foul play on the field - I think it changed a lot when the new judiciary system came into play all those years ago- gradings / early pleas and fines and what not.

I have no issue with it at all - players have to learn new and better tackling techniques and be smarter when defending- Sitili dodged a bullet with his tackle - it was a lazy effort as he had time to make a legal tackle but chose not too- can't afford to leave your team with 12 or less players as they have been warned as it could have proved costly.

[redwhiteblue]

Every soufs fan I know was swearing blind that JWH would be the first player sent off. It looked like he spent the entire game with his arms down near his hips.

I was making bets with friends on that myself. Usually he gets sent off for 'insert reason here'. Did he actually play?

[Johnny73]

I was making bets with friends on that myself. Usually he gets sent off for 'insert reason here'. Did he actually play?

He played his usual strong game.