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SYDNEY - Bulldogs forward Brad Morrin was handed the equal heaviest suspension for biting in rugby league history on Wednesday when the National Rugby League judiciary banned him for eight games to end his 2007 season.
Morrin pleaded guilty to biting Parramatta centre Timana Tahu on the bicep
last Friday, the panel's suspension matching the punishment handed down to former Kiwis player Jarrod McCracken in 1991 when he was found guilty and ousted for eight games for biting South Sydney's Ross Harrington.
It is the largest biting suspension handed out by a league tribunal, six weeks longer than the previous ban handed to Chris Beattie in 2001.
Morrin says it was a "stupid" act and one he will never commit again.
"I'm obviously disappointed, I thought eight weeks was probably a bit harsh," said Morrin afterwards.
"What I did was stupid and I just have to cop it on the chin and hopefully come back a bit better next year and put it behind me.
"I have to take my medicine and cop the penalty on the chin."
Morrin said he had yet to consider the consequence that he may miss an NRL grand final due to suspension, but will continue to train with the Dogs until their season ends.
"I'm unfit enough as it is," he said.
Morrin had tried to argue that his "brain-snap" was the result of a lifting tackle from Tahu and Nathan Hindmarsh which also included a head slam and labelled it the worst in his career.
He told the panel he felt sharp pain in his neck and back and only Morrin took a nip at Tahu to get his weight off his body.
"I felt the force from my neck to shoulder blades and it's the worst I have felt in my career," Morrin told the panel.
"When I lost my way it was like a somersault.
"My first reaction was to nip him to get him off me."
After an hour-long hearing the panel took just 15 minutes to return their verdict.
NRL prosecutor Peter Kite told the panel that Morrin's accusation of a spear tackle and head slam is not mitigating circumstances for biting and urged the judiciary to make an example of Morrin to deter others from biting.
He suggested an 8-10 week ban.
"It was a heavy tackle but a fair tackle in the context of the game," said Kite.
He asked the panel to compare Morrin's crime to other recent cases, pointing out Ryan Cross' six week ban for eye gouging in 2005 and John Hopoate's infamous bum-poking antics which earned a 12-week suspension in 2001.
"You might think eye gouging is more serious than a nibble on the arm," said Hall.
However, Morrin now faces the rest of the year on the sidelines and is still anxiously awaiting a contract extension from the Bulldogs.
- AAP
