Jul 29th, 2019

Jul 29th, 2019

Former Penrith Panthers boss Phil Gould and current Cronulla Sharks skipper Paul Gallen have vastly different views on the recent suspensions handed out to players for dangerous tackles in recent weeks.

Speaking on Nine's 100% Footy, Gallen and Gould disagreed on the length of suspension handed down to Manly's Jake Trbojevic for his dangerous throw charge against the Melbourne Storm.

Speaking first, Gallen believed that, based off the precedent set with suspensions to Canberra's Nick Cotric and Warriors' Isaac Luke in recent weeks, that the Manly forward should have spent time on the sidelines.

Trbojevic looks likely to get away without missing any games.

Jake Trbojevic of the Manly Sea Eagles (AAP)

"Jake (Trbojevic) is lucky," Gallen said.

"I can't believe he (Trbojevic) wasn't charged for that [tackle]."

"If Isaac Luke's (dangerous throw charge) was a grade two, then Jake's (Trbojevic) should have been too," Gallen said.

Continuing, the Sharks skipper touched on the words of Trbojevic's coach Des Hasler after the game as a means of strengthening his argument.

"When Des Hasler gets in the press conference and says 'we'll probably be missing him for a few weeks,' that's probably an indication he did something wrong!"

However, for Phil Gould, the situation isn't as black and white.

Referencing the spate of different charges, and inconsistencies in recent sentences, he had this to say in response to the Cronulla skipper.

"Explain to Arthur and Martha watching in Liverpool the difference between the lot of them [Cotric's, Luke's and Trbojevic's]," Gould said.

Sharks captain Paul Gallen. (AAP)

"Those momentum tackles, should get a fine and a warning. They shouldn't be getting suspended from the game," he continued.

"Unfortunately now, whenever something is hard, we have visions of someone in a wheelchair."

Doubling down, Gould unpacked Trbojevic's defensive style and his total lack of intent in the tackle in question.

"How many times have we seen Jake Trbojevic flatten a bloke like that just flat on to his back? How many times?!

Incredulous, Gould continued.

"Every now and then, a bloke is going to turn and twist in the air, and reach for the ground and somersault. Jake (Trbojevic ) gets up and says 'what happened?!' it's an accident! It drives me mad."

Smashing the refereeing issues plaguing the NRL this season, Gould continued.

"Our game has got to the point when someone gets hit hard, or doesn't get up, there's a penalty for it. That's why guys get up slowly holding their neck(s) and then the refs blow a penalty and say 'oh that must've been a crusher tackle'," Gould said.

"Just because someone gets hurt, someone gets concussed, someone gets knocked out - it doesn't mean anyone has to be punished for it. It's what happens in the game."