The Cronulla players understand the NRL’s stance against touching referees, but they have sympathy for suspended fullback Will Kennedy, who may be replaced by a young, talented player for Saturday’s game against the Cowboys.
Kennedy was given a grade two contrary conduct charge for bumping into referee Adam Gee while he was covering a Kayal Iro break close to the halfway line. As a result, he will miss one game.
Together with Jahrome Hughes of Melbourne, who was suspended earlier this year for pushing a referee while defending his line, Kennedy joined the group of players who “reluctantly” accepted the ban rather than risking an additional week if they lost at the judiciary.
Graham Annesley, the head of football for the NRL, gave an explanation last week of why the bans were necessary in order to serve as a warning to players at all levels of the game that touching officials is never appropriate, regardless of the circumstances.
Braden Hamlin-Uele, a teammate, stated, “I think Adam Gee would have folded Will. It’s a good thing Will was facing the other way.”
You know Will, and he’s one of the nicest guys, so it’s unfortunate.
It’s a fast-paced game, so I don’t know how he missed the bright red shirt, but he never intended to do that.
“If the club saw any way of trying to fight it, they would have. It was just unfortunate that it happened like that and I know Will is remorseful.
“Sometimes it’s hard to avoid because you’re sprinting back trying to get back in the line and he’s sort of bumped him and he never meant to do it.
“We never go out there and mean to do it, but it happens. I understand why they’re cracking down on it, but it’s never blatant.”
Young Liam Ison has been starring in reserve grade for the Jets, where he scored a hat-trick earlier this month at fullback, and he could be handed his debut for the trip north. “He’s pretty quick on his feet, I’ve played with him in a couple of games for Newtown. He’s a real competitor, a footy kid through and through and he’s a good bloke,” Atkinson said. Daniel Atkinson, a Sharks utility, is one of the options to replace Kennedy at fullback, though it’s expected he will stay in the halves.
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