Queenslander
04-04-06, 08:51 AM
Slater 'still Origin chance'
By Margie McDonald and Stuart Honeysett
April 4, 2006
QUEENSLAND coach Mal Meninga said Billy Slater's Origin chances would not be harmed if he were found guilty of kicking Wests Tigers forward John Skandalis in the head and served a lengthy stint on the sidelines.
The incident in the 47th minute of the Storm-Tigers match on Sunday has landed the talented fullback in hot water with the judiciary.
Slater faces a grade five charge - the highest - for kicking and faces up to seven weeks out.
A seven-week ban would rule Slater out of Origin I on May 24. But if he gets the minimum five weeks for an early plea, or fights the charge successfully and receives a lesser sentence, he would be available.
"He's still in the picture, that's for sure," Meninga said yesterday.
"He's a quality player and a quality person. He won't be discarded because of this."
Meninga said Slater's chances would be hurt by a lack of fitness or the form of his fullback rivals.
Melbourne chief executive Brian Waldron said the club had not decided whether to fight the charge.
It also has to consider a plea for five-eighth Scott Hill, who faces up to four weeks out for allegedly pushing referee Jason Robinson after Tigers winger Shane Elford had scored.
The Storm's title campaign would suffer without two of their match-winning players.
"The extent of the video tapes aren't conclusive so we're awaiting audio tapes from the NRL which will arrive in the morning," Waldron said of Hill's grade four contrary conduct charge.
"So until then we're not in a position to comment."
Waldron admitted the club was surprised by the severity of the charges against Hill and Slater.
Waldron spoke to Slater after the charge was announced. Storm football manager Dean Lance spoke to Hill.
"We'll reconvene with both players tomorrow once those tapes arrive and we'll do what's best for them and what's best for us," Waldron said.
Skandalis yesterday said Slater came into the Tigers' dressing-room after the game. Skandalis felt the incident had ended there.
"He did come to see me and apologise and I accepted his apology," Skandalis said. "From my point of view it's over and done with. So I was surprised a bit (by grade five charge), but the judiciary has got a job to do and I'm not about to tell them how to do it."
However, Skandalis was hesitant when asked if he would provide a statement supporting Slater.
"That's something I'd have to talk about with (CEO) Steve Noyce and my coach (Tim Sheens). If they (Storm) ask for one, then we'll get together and talk about that."
The Australian
By Margie McDonald and Stuart Honeysett
April 4, 2006
QUEENSLAND coach Mal Meninga said Billy Slater's Origin chances would not be harmed if he were found guilty of kicking Wests Tigers forward John Skandalis in the head and served a lengthy stint on the sidelines.
The incident in the 47th minute of the Storm-Tigers match on Sunday has landed the talented fullback in hot water with the judiciary.
Slater faces a grade five charge - the highest - for kicking and faces up to seven weeks out.
A seven-week ban would rule Slater out of Origin I on May 24. But if he gets the minimum five weeks for an early plea, or fights the charge successfully and receives a lesser sentence, he would be available.
"He's still in the picture, that's for sure," Meninga said yesterday.
"He's a quality player and a quality person. He won't be discarded because of this."
Meninga said Slater's chances would be hurt by a lack of fitness or the form of his fullback rivals.
Melbourne chief executive Brian Waldron said the club had not decided whether to fight the charge.
It also has to consider a plea for five-eighth Scott Hill, who faces up to four weeks out for allegedly pushing referee Jason Robinson after Tigers winger Shane Elford had scored.
The Storm's title campaign would suffer without two of their match-winning players.
"The extent of the video tapes aren't conclusive so we're awaiting audio tapes from the NRL which will arrive in the morning," Waldron said of Hill's grade four contrary conduct charge.
"So until then we're not in a position to comment."
Waldron admitted the club was surprised by the severity of the charges against Hill and Slater.
Waldron spoke to Slater after the charge was announced. Storm football manager Dean Lance spoke to Hill.
"We'll reconvene with both players tomorrow once those tapes arrive and we'll do what's best for them and what's best for us," Waldron said.
Skandalis yesterday said Slater came into the Tigers' dressing-room after the game. Skandalis felt the incident had ended there.
"He did come to see me and apologise and I accepted his apology," Skandalis said. "From my point of view it's over and done with. So I was surprised a bit (by grade five charge), but the judiciary has got a job to do and I'm not about to tell them how to do it."
However, Skandalis was hesitant when asked if he would provide a statement supporting Slater.
"That's something I'd have to talk about with (CEO) Steve Noyce and my coach (Tim Sheens). If they (Storm) ask for one, then we'll get together and talk about that."
The Australian