NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 23: James Maloney of the Penrith Panthers is tackled by Mitch Barnett of the Newcastle Knights during the round two NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Penrith Panthers at McDonald Jones Stadium on March 23, 2019 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

Penrith star James Maloney has questioned the NRL match review committee's system, stating the penalties for late and dangerous contact should be treated the same as shoulder charges.

The 32-year old believes his recent neck injuries have been a chronic symptom from receiving late tackles throughout his career.

"Ones in the back are horrible, they're all sorts," Maloney told NRL Media on Monday following Tevita Pangai's dangerous contact on Cooper Cronk.

"I had the neck operated on last year and that would trigger … knocks like that. I think if you go at the line and you see it coming then no halfback is ever going to whinge about getting hit.

"But that wasn't going into the line, that was back turned and it's a bad thing. It's not a good feeling."

Pangai was handed a grade-two dangerous contact charge for his incident with Cronk, copping 210 points with an early guilty plea.

And Maloney believes players know that they can get away with such indiscretions and not miss games.

"I think people know, there's a difference there," Maloney said.

"That's why they got rid of the shoulder charge because they couldn't distinguish head on, they said regardless whether it contacts the head or not it's establishes a whiplash effect.

"If that's the reasoning you outlaw a shoulder charge then this is probably the same, if not worse.

"At least a shoulder charge is head on and you brace for contacting knowing it's coming."

5 COMMENTS

  1. Getting lessons from Michael Jennings was he?
    That’s right, sorry Kev. You’re all for high tackles & swinging stiff arm hits when it’s a player playing for Parramatta that’s done it.
    Guess anyone that Maloney has supposedly hit , must have been falling? 👍

  2. No I’m not in favour of high tackles. If I was I would be a grubby Rif supporter.
    If anyone does an intentional high tackle they should be suspended. 99% of NRL commentators said Yeo was faliing in the tackle and Jennings should never have been sent to the bin let alone get suspended for a week.
    Being a two bit Rif supporter you are more than happy for your low life players to intentionally hit opposition players high but cry like a bunch of babies if one of your players get hit high accidentally or not. 👍👍👍👍👍

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