Alex McKinnon slams “disgusting” Test captain Cameron Smith over tackle slur

[Papa Emeritus]

So everyone knows

Jordan McLean's actions in Alex McKinnon tackle were not 'significant' cause of injury, panel decides

Melbourne forward Jordan McLean had an additional four matches added to his suspension for the tackle that left Alex McKinnon with spinal damage because the NRL judiciary panel considered his actions were not a "significant" cause of the injury sustained by the Newcastle forward.

McLean was found guilty of a grade two dangerous throw, which carries a base penalty of 325 demerit points, but he received a seven match ban at Wednesday night's judiciary hearing after the panel deemed the 22-year-old should receive an additional 400 demerit points for the injury suffered by McKinnon.

The revelation that McLean's suspension was increased to take into account the injury has prompted criticism from some who believe that judiciary offences should be judged solely on their merit, but it is common for the match review committee to grade an offence higher if an opposition player was badly hurt.

In fact, Fairfax Media has learnt that McLean received only an extra four game ban for a tackle that resulted in McKinnon fracturing his C4 and C5 vertebrae and damaging his spinal cord because the judiciary panel of Mal Cochrane, Bob Lindner and Chris McKenna felt his role in causing the injury was "right down the very end of the scale".


http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...e-of-injury-panel-decides-20140403-zqq9u.html

So who were they blaming for the injury, if the player who tackled him wasn't the 'significant' cause of the injury

The injury is the outcome of many factors Kaz. You can't single out one exact thing as THE cause of it. But at the end of the day McLean lifted the legs, put Alex in a dangerous position and that is illegal. How you can say it wasn't illegal, even after the fact he was charged by the judiciary over it (ignoring the additional weeks, that is irrelevant), you still think it was legal.

Absolutely boggles my mind how you can have that opinion.

 

[Realist90]

Thats the point.. he didnt know the severity of the injury at the time. There is no way he could have.. could have been a concussion or a broken leg ... anything..

Plus a serious injury like that has never really happened on the field in the nrl... cameron smith was not to know how serious it was.

The nrl should have shown more concern not cameron smith. They just played on..another 40 mins.

The guy couldn't fkn move on the ground you fkn fruit loop. How much of a hint does Cameron smith need to know something is not wrong. Fuk me dead some people are so delusional.

 

[Blue_boost]

He is the Melbourne and Australian captain. He was there when the injury happened so yes he should've called.

Sometimes its more respectful not to call. I dont think the mckinnon family had a register of players that need call and ticked them off.

If you have ever been in a tragic situation like that (i have)... your not hanging on people calling or visiting.. they just get in the way.

No way is cameron smith obligated in any way to call or visit. He played as much part in that tragic event as people that were watching in tv or sitting in the crowd..

I wonder if the ref called.

 

[Mr Invisible]

He was spear tackled into the ground.

Not a complete vertical spear tackle, but he was put in a position, then driven into the ground.

and the NRL judiciary aren't doctors or specialists. Look up what all the specialists/doctors/spinal surgeons had to say around that time about the tackle. Unanimous that it did not have to end with Alex in a wheelchair, and was not the fault of Alex.

Yet the NRL judiciary put on the blinkers, because Jordan McLean was an up and coming junior they wanted to keep.

Make no mistake, if he was a fringe player with no career prospects, they'd have made him a scapegoat and cast him adrift (like they should have).

 

[Shanked]

Playing devil's advocate ... would Ennis have acted differently?

don't know and i don't want to know

 

[Scorpio]

Finally Smiths true side is shown. He is a grub on the field and so os Slater.
Smith was there and could hear Alex screaming in pain and fright and still wants to blame Alex for the injury...
It doesnt matter who is to blame... show some humanity...

I love how Smiths loyal supporters in the media and at the storm always use this line as his defence "we all know Cameron isnt that type of player..."

 

[Haddaway]

Playing devil's advocate ... would Ennis have acted differently?

If Ennis acted the way Smith did he would have been slaughtered in the media, look at how they reacted after he patted Smith on the head LOL. He would have been the most hated man in Australia if he acted like that plonker Smith.

 

[no1bulldog]

I think McKinnon will regret carrying on like this about Smith later on in life, yes it was a terrible thing that happened but he still hasn't mentally healed from the event and he is channelling his anger, frustration etc towards Smith for now.

Smith at the time was more than likely just trying to keep his player on the field because yes it did look serious (thats when players get sent off) did he think he think Alex was going to spend the rest of his life in a wheel chair... i highly doubt it, did he think McLean could be sent off? extremely likely

Personally ever since i first saw the tackle i have always thought what the bloody hell was he doing ducking in to the ground like that? the angle of his body wasn't that high at all and a natural reaction would have been to turn away from the ground, also his arms weren't pinned......it looks like he panicked, over reacted and in the end was the biggest contributor to the injury he received......Now i know we cant blame people for serious injuries these days with political correctness and such things but its the truth in this case

yes it was terrible, but in the end if he didnt duck his head he would be fine and i think he knows this and it is a major part of his anger and frustration, but for now its easy to deal with by shifting the blame

 

[Kaz]

Did 60 Minutes use the song Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran.

Some of the lyrics are, When your legs don't work like they used to before.

 

[Dogtime]

It makes me laugh when all those commentators blew up about Ennis not showing respect for Smith but they turn a blind eye to Smith who has no respect for anyone.

Ennis and also our little mate Josh Reynolds are called Grub? Really? Cameron Smith YOUR THE BIGGEST GRUB that ever laced on a football boot. Too clever by half. Never one to admit he is ever beaten by a better team, Smith will continue to verbal referees in his oh so subtle way, will continue to deflect blame, will continue to be a protected species. I for one cant wait till Mick Ennis gets right underneath Smiths skin next Wednesday. please Robbie...let Mick Ennis do a job on Smith.

As for his comments about the McKinnon tackle, Smith makes me sick to my stomach. His attitude is totally indefensible. What makes it worse is his apparent total lack of respect for Alex since his injury. I can only imagine if Wayne Bennett was the Qld SOO team coach he would have pulled Smith aside by now and TOLD HIM TO APOLOGISE.

YOU TOTAL UNPROFESSIONAL GRUB SMITH...now...thanks to 60 minutes your reputation has been trashed beyond repair. It couldnt have happened to a nicer guy. Grub Smith.

 

[Kaz]

Alex didn't even know Smith etc tried to see him but was denied.

I can only imagine if Wayne Bennett was the Qld SOO team coach he would have pulled Smith aside by now and TOLD HIM TO APOLOGISE.

Apologise to telling the truth.

I doubt Bennett would tell him to apologise. In fact he wouldn't

 

[doggieaaron]

I think McKinnon will regret carrying on like this about Smith later on in life, yes it was a terrible thing that happened but he still hasn't mentally healed from the event and he is channelling his anger, frustration etc towards Smith for now.

Smith at the time was more than likely just trying to keep his player on the field because yes it did look serious (thats when players get sent off) did he think he think Alex was going to spend the rest of his life in a wheel chair... i highly doubt it, did he think McLean could be sent off? extremely likely

Personally ever since i first saw the tackle i have always thought what the bloody hell was he doing ducking in to the ground like that? the angle of his body wasn't that high at all and a natural reaction would have been to turn away from the ground, also his arms weren't pinned......it looks like he panicked, over reacted and in the end was the biggest contributor to the injury he received......Now i know we cant blame people for serious injuries these days with political correctness and such things but its the truth in this case

yes it was terrible, but in the end if he didnt duck his head he would be fine and i think he knows this and it is a major part of his anger and frustration, but for now its easy to deal with by shifting the blame

Very true,apparantely it was mickinnons first time seeing the footage and typical of ch9 to try to stir shit up clearly his emotions would have been very raw and they took advantage of that ,love him or hate cameron smith wouldnt have known the extent of the injury and is not a bad person

 

[JUNKYARD DOGS]

Some of you people on here are unbeliveable. I bet the ones saying what Smith said was disgusting etc said the exact same things in a Thread when it happened. Jump on the bandwagon people. What can he say now to defend himslef, not much.

 

[El_Magic]

Some of you people on here are unbeliveable. I bet the ones saying what Smith said was disgusting etc said the exact same things in a Thread when it happened. Jump on the bandwagon people. What can he say now to defend himslef, not much.

He's a grub, always has been always will be. That was a clear time where you just cop the penalty and shut the fuk up. Guys on the ground for 10 mins getting put on a stretcher. Football comes 2nd in that position. He's a ****ing grub

 

[ouwet]

It was an unfortunate incident! No matter what people think you have to feel for McKinnon, his life will never be the same again physically and mentally... You cannot blame his family for feeling the way they do! Channel 9 has to take some blame for this story and the backlash both sides are going to get! This IS NOT the first time McKinnon has seen the incident as stated unless he wrote his book (He has a go at Smith in it) in the last 2-3 weeks since the story was filmed! This story emphasises to me why Channel 9 should never have the RL rights ever again, they always kick the game and manipulate stories to make headlines while on the other hand get all the benefits from a strong ratings sport (As Bulldog supporters we know all about this during the Coffs incident)! Last night we saw a great story about Love, Aussie Spirit and courage destroyed by absolute garbage journalism!

Cameron Smith is a great bloke off the field... Last week at Belmore he hung around after the game to speak and take selfies with Bulldog supporters... NOT ONE other Melbourne player did the same! Smith is always first to put his hand up for a cause and fund raising (He helped raised money for McKinnon)! Melbourne and Smith were denied access to McKinnon after the incident which was the correct call IMO but FMD Channel 9 conveniently left that out! We see players every week getting stretchered off the field and sometimes players going off in neck braces and captains/players still argue about the penalty (Yes, even Bulldog players), Injuries and pretty serious injuries are part of RL unfortunately but no way in the world did Smith know the extent of this injury.

I feel for McKinnon and he deserves to sue the NRL for compensation because he will pay for this for the rest of his life (McCracken sued and won in the late 90's/early 00)... Smith deserves a right of reply before judgmental people (People are awesome at being judgemental in life and hypocrites) persecute him!

 

[JUNKYARD DOGS]

It was an unfortunate incident! No matter what people think you have to feel for McKinnon, his life will never be the same again physically and mentally... You cannot blame his family for feeling the way they do! Channel 9 has to take some blame for this story and the backlash both sides are going to get! This IS NOT the first time McKinnon has seen the incident as stated unless he wrote his book (He has a go at Smith in it) in the last 2-3 weeks since the story was filmed! This story emphasises to me why Channel 9 should never have the RL rights ever again, they always kick the game and manipulate stories to make headlines while on the other hand get all the benefits from a strong ratings sport (As Bulldog supporters we know all about this during the Coffs incident)! Last night we saw a great story about Love, Aussie Spirit and courage destroyed by absolute garbage journalism!

Cameron Smith is a great bloke off the field... Last week at Belmore he hung around after the game to speak and take selfies with Bulldog supporters... NOT ONE other Melbourne player did the same! Smith is always first to put his hand up for a cause and fund raising (He helped raised money for McKinnon)! Melbourne and Smith were denied access to McKinnon after the incident which was the correct call IMO but FMD Channel 9 conveniently left that out! We see players every week getting stretchered off the field and sometimes players going off in neck braces and captains/players still argue about the penalty (Yes, even Bulldog players), Injuries and pretty serious injuries are part of RL unfortunately but no way in the world did Smith know the extent of this injury.

I feel for McKinnon and he deserves to sue the NRL for compensation because he will pay for this for the rest of his life (McCracken sued and won in the late 90's/early 00)... Smith deserves a right of reply before judgmental people (People are awesome at being judgemental in life and hypocrites) persecute him!

There we go, a bit of truth. I have also met Smith before and was a pleasure. Channel 9 need to pull their heads in, going to ruin the game. I know alot of people/fans that have been pushed away by media in recent times, they have just had a gutful.

 

[Papa Emeritus]

Look out everyone, Garrett met Cam Smith once and he was a pleasure, there's no way he is a grub.

 

[CroydonDog]

Look out everyone, Garrett met Cam Smith once and he was a pleasure, there's no way he is a grub.

Garrett has simply provided a first hand account of meeting him, something I certainly haven't done.

 

[Bad Billy]

So everyone knows

Jordan McLean's actions in Alex McKinnon tackle were not 'significant' cause of injury, panel decides

Melbourne forward Jordan McLean had an additional four matches added to his suspension for the tackle that left Alex McKinnon with spinal damage because the NRL judiciary panel considered his actions were not a "significant" cause of the injury sustained by the Newcastle forward.

McLean was found guilty of a grade two dangerous throw, which carries a base penalty of 325 demerit points, but he received a seven match ban at Wednesday night's judiciary hearing after the panel deemed the 22-year-old should receive an additional 400 demerit points for the injury suffered by McKinnon.

The revelation that McLean's suspension was increased to take into account the injury has prompted criticism from some who believe that judiciary offences should be judged solely on their merit, but it is common for the match review committee to grade an offence higher if an opposition player was badly hurt.

In fact, Fairfax Media has learnt that McLean received only an extra four game ban for a tackle that resulted in McKinnon fracturing his C4 and C5 vertebrae and damaging his spinal cord because the judiciary panel of Mal Cochrane, Bob Lindner and Chris McKenna felt his role in causing the injury was "right down the very end of the scale".


http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...e-of-injury-panel-decides-20140403-zqq9u.html

So who were they blaming for the injury, if the player who tackled him wasn't the 'significant' cause of the injury

You're completely missing the point Kaz.
Most on here agree that Mckinnon at least, equally responsible for the outcome of the tackle.
The problem is, even after clearly seing how much distress Alex was in, Smith argued the toss with the ref, even while the trainers were attending to Alex !
Sorry, Thats a low act, whichever way you cut it.

 

[Bob dog]

Sick of hearing about it, top bloke, tragic circumstances, there are thousands of wheelchair cripples out there who are skint, Alex has the best of everything available, Im sure Smith was not fully aware of the situation and would not wish this on anybody, even though he can be a prick.