Round 2: TITANS vs NZ WARRIORS (2022)

[DIEHARD]

NRL clears Campbell despite challenge leaving Eels teen with punctured lung
By Adam Pengilly and Christian Nicolussi
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/nrl/

The NRL’s match review committee has defended its decision not to charge Gold Coast fullback Jayden Campbell because he didn’t “dangerously lead with his knees”, despite teenage Eels winger Sean Russell being laid up in hospital with a punctured lung.

Russell, 19, remains under observation in severe pain after Parramatta confirmed the former schoolboy star faced an extended stint on the sidelines with broken ribs and lung problem, reminiscent of the same injury suffered by Roosters utility Drew Hutchison last year.

While Eels five-eighth Dylan Brown was suspended for his knees-first collision with Hutchison in an almost identical spot at CommBank Stadium, Campbell avoided sanction for his attempted try saver on Russell, who left the ground in an ambulance after a first-half hat-trick.

Russell’s injury has only compounded the wing woes for Eels coach Brad Arthur, who is without Maika Sivo (ACL) until later in the season and lost Haze Dunster to a season-ending knee injury after a tackle in a trial from Dragons forward Tyrell Fuimaono, who was suspended for five weeks over the “hip drop” incident.

Asked why Campbell avoided sanction for the collision with Russell, NRL head of football Graham Annesley said the match review committee didn’t deem his actions careless.

“They did not believe Campbell dangerously led with his knees and felt the review showed Campbell lowering his body and leading with his arm in a genuine attempt to stop a try from being scored,” Annesley said.

“Campbell’s arm makes contact with the ball before it reaches the line, however his knees make simultaneous contact with Russell, which the match review deemed accidental in an attempt to stop the try.”

Russell’s extended absence is likely to expedite the Eels’ pursuit of an outside back in the player market.

They unsuccessfully tried to lure Brisbane’s Jamayne Isaako to Sydney for 2022 before he joins the Dolphins next year, but have signed former Tigers winger Zac Cini on a train-and-trial deal. Cini had been part of the Sharks squad during pre-season in the hope of landing a top 30 contract.

Tom Opacic could be in line for a recall against Cronulla at PointsBet Stadium on Saturday after scoring four tries in the NSW Cup last week, while Hayze Perham is also an option for Arthur.

The fallout from the Eels’ wild win over the Titans was continuing on Monday night with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo still reviewing post-match comments from Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook.

Holbrook argued his side didn’t get the rub of the green from match officials in the second half because they’re “not one of the big clubs”.

Sources familiar with the situation said Holbrook would likely escape a fine, but be warned over his remarks.

Annesley was just as forthright about his opinion on the final seconds of the match when Eels halfback Mitchell Moses blatantly watched the big screen while lining up a penalty goal to ensure he used up as much time as possible. His side led by two points at the time.

Under the NRL rules, the clock is stopped for conversions inside the final five minutes but continues to run for penalty goal attempts.

In that situation I felt it was allowed to go on for too long. I don’t think that’s a good look for the game

Graham Annesley

“I felt personally it wasn’t a good look,” Annesley said. “You can’t blame Mitchell Moses, he was quite happy to stand there until the siren went if we allowed him to.

“But the referee always has the ultimate power to call a timeout if they feel time is being wasted. In that situation I felt it was allowed to go on for too long. I don’t think that’s a good look for the game. I made my feelings known on that.”

[JunctionBlock]

Why would you have a rule that it stops for conversions but not penalty goals?

Jayden was lucky to escape sanction purely because of the severity of the injury to Russell.

Happy to donate to the Holbrook ref comments fund if need be

[GCTTSD]

Better bring back Wallace for round 2 with lodge and come up with a plan to send fifita at ash and Kodi

[Titanic]

Not really for here but did anyone else notice that our lack of a trial was ignored by commentators while the Roosters were talked up as their excuse and 360 didn’t critique our game at all? … last week NRL Tonight ignored us as well. Holbrook is 100% correct and we should create a siege mentality.

[hungryjacks]

Not really for here but did anyone else notice that our lack of a trial was ignored by commentators while the Roosters were talked up as their excuse and 360 didn’t critique our game at all? … last week NRL Tonight ignored us as well. Holbrook is 100% correct and we should create a siege mentality.

When people thought we were close to getting kicked out of the comp a few years ago all the other fans from other other clubs layed their boots into us hard and were mocking us a club and were basically happy to see us go if that was the case. I haven't forgotten this at all.

Also you are completely right we just get ignored, the pundits when talking about us talk about us in a way that would assume they have watched none of our games.

[Titslover]

Ash Taylor revenge game this week, named at 7 for Warriors

[lonegull]

Ash Taylor revenge game this week, named at 7 for Warriors

Holbrook would be licking his lips

[NZFan]

The bias in the comp is really systemic. There is a reason why Holbrooks comments aren’t gaining attention and that is because he is right. Jayden’s “leading with the knee” articles have been made instead as a diversion.

There are countless examples in the media that show how bad it is. For example the first time Magic Round was announced, 3 of the 16 clubs weren’t shown in either channels promos (including us) yet other clubs featured multiple times. It was almost laughable that their marketing line was “all 16 clubs in one place” yet they didn’t care about 3 of them enough to show them.

Unfortunately for us, we are going to have to demand the respect from the NRL and media by winning and becoming a powerhouse. It’s not going to be given to us like some of the big clubs. Penrith we’re the same before they started winning consistently.

[Titslover]

Holbrook would be licking his lips

If Ash is on the left against Fifita it could be a long afternoon for him

[Titanic]

Ash Taylor revenge game this week, named at 7 for Warriors

Can foresee him kicking behind our dysfunctional right edge … and Herbert drilling him.

[JunctionBlock]

[DIEHARD]

Oh boy oh boy. Holbrook should have quite an insight into how Ash operates.

[Hail Sezer]

Hope GL spends the week doing defensive drills and watching tape

[JunctionBlock]

Hope GL spends the week doing defensive drills and watching tape

Hope he practices catching a high ball after a kick on the fifth

Ash looks terrible in that jersey.

[Titans83]

The bias in the comp is really systemic. There is a reason why Holbrooks comments aren’t gaining attention and that is because he is right. Jayden’s “leading with the knee” articles have been made instead as a diversion.

There are countless examples in the media that show how bad it is. For example the first time Magic Round was announced, 3 of the 16 clubs weren’t shown in either channels promos (including us) yet other clubs featured multiple times. It was almost laughable that their marketing line was “all 16 clubs in one place” yet they didn’t care about 3 of them enough to show them.

Unfortunately for us, we are going to have to demand the respect from the NRL and media by winning and becoming a powerhouse. It’s not going to be given to us like some of the big clubs. Penrith we’re the same before they started winning consistently.

There’s a huge bias against us. I put it down to the scheduling of the free to air games. How do you expect anyone to care about us when we aren’t on tv? We play 2-3 times a year and because of that we have no fans. The commentary have been told we don’t generate interest and we don’t. Hopefully winning helps