McFadden baffled by shoulder charge rulings

Andrew McFadden criticised the culture of the club he inherited. Photo / Getty Images

Warriors coach Andrew McFadden remains baffled and frustrated by the shoulder charge laws and doubts the NRL are any closer to solving the problem with any clarity.

Grade one charges against South Sydney Rabbitohs hooker Issac Luke, Sydney Roosters back-rower Aidan Guerra and Manly Sea Eagles winger Jorge Taufua were all quickly dismissed at the NRL judiciary last night, making a mockery of the NRL's recent crackdown on the shoulder charge.

Last week the Warriors expressed their frustration after prop Ben Matulino was suspended for three matches for a grade two shoulder charge on St George-Illawarra Dragons playmaker Gareth Widdop.

McFadden was unhappy with the inconsistencies in shoulder charge rulings, arguing that there was no contact with Widdop's head and no injury caused, and believes the situation is a long way from being resolved.

"It [frustration] hasn't grown any more than it already was," McFadden said yesterday.

"I know they've come out this week and tried to clear the air but I think there's still a lot to go there and I don't think it's something that's going to sort itself out in the near future.
"I'm not going to put too much attention on it. It's the least of my worries at the moment."

Following last night's judiciary results, the NRL are now being criticised for overreacting and rushing through changes to the shoulder charge laws on the morning of the round 22 opening game between Manly and Souths, after Roosters forward Kane Evans escaped charge for his shot on Canterbury Bulldogs front-rower Sam Kasiano the previous week.

Evans got off because the under the previous definition players could only be charged if contact was made with the head or neck of the ball runner, or the impact resulted in a whiplash effect.

It is likely the whiplash clause applied to the Matulino hit but the grey areas in that incident and others are undeniable.

The NRL judiciary panel cleared Luke, Guerra and Taufua after considering three key elements of each incident - whether forceful contact was made, if the charged player made contact with his upper arm or shoulder without using his arms, and if the shot was made carelessly.

Pressure is now mounting for the NRL to quickly revert to the initial interpretations around shoulder charges ahead of tonight's round 24 opening clash between St George-Illawarra and Penrith, but it is unlikely the game's governing body will soften their stance.