League: Grapple tackle controversy rears head

The grapple tackle controversy reared its head again yesterday when Melbourne forward and Kiwis international David Kidwell was charged with using the outlawed manoeuvre by the NRL's match review committee.

Kidwell faces a one-match ban after being charged with "grade-one contrary conduct - unnecessary head-neck contact" for a 73rd-minute tackle on Penrith prop Joel Clinton on Saturday.

Clinton took exception to the tackle and a fight broke out between the pair late in Penrith's 28-14 win at Melbourne.

Referee Shayne Hayne and video referee Mick Stone opted not to take any action over the tackle, instead penalising ex-test prop Clinton for his reaction.

Clinton could be heard saying: "He was around my head the whole time. It was a grapple tackle."

Kidwell is the third player charged since the NRL issued new guidelines for a grapple tackle in May which outlawed the "twisting, pinning or jerking of an opponent's head".

Kidwell - one of five players charged yesterday - will escape suspension with an early plea.

NSW and Sydney Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello (grade-one careless high tackle) will avoid suspension even if he unsuccessfully defends the charge, ensuring he will be available for the Origin decider on July 6.

Penrith utility Brett Howland (grade-one dangerous throw) faces a one-match ban, but will escape suspension with an early plea.

St George Illawarra lock Shaun Timmins (grade-one tripping) faces a one-match ban even with an early plea.

And Brisbane backrower Neville Costigan (grade-one dangerous throw) faces a two-match suspension even if he pleads guilty.

Meanwhile, star halfback Andrew Johns has been warned to re-think his approach to tackling or risk further neck injuries which could prematurely end one of the great league careers.

Newcastle doctor Neil Halpin yesterday said the sooner Johns, 31, stopped playing like a "frontrower" the longer the injury-prone ex-test skipper would last in league.

Playing his second game in eight weeks, Johns suffered a neck complaint but still completed one of State of Origin's great comebacks by inspiring last Wednesday's 32-22 win for NSW.

Johns was forced to miss Newcastle's 48-26 loss to Manly on Sunday - the Knights' 13th straight defeat.

Although Johns had since been cleared of a recurrence of a bulging disc that ended his 2003 season, Halpin said the Knights' playmaker would have to re-think his tackling style if he wanted to last longer in the game.

"My own theory is it [his injuries] is partly the way he plays the game - I am always saying to Andrew 'you are not a frontrower, son, you are a halfback," Halpin said.

"Part of Andrew's strength as a player is his defensive ability and that is partly the reason why he has been injured a fair bit.

"If you are taking on frontrowers and you are a halfback, well, I wouldn't do it.

"I'm not the person to tell Andrew how to play football [but] I think the more he can avoid those sorts of things the longer he is going to last in the game."

Johns has all but been cleared to play in Newcastle's clash at Penrith on Saturday night.

Newcastle and NSW skipper Danny Buderus yesterday declared himself a "really realistic" chance of playing in the Origin series decider in Brisbane on July 6.

Buderus suffered toe ligament damage in Origin 2, but received good news from the surgeon who performed pre-season surgery on the hooker this year - foot-ankle specialist Dr Martin Sullivan.