Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has become embroiled in a war of words with NRL 360 co-host Paul Kent over Felise Kaufusi’s ugly incident against the Parramatta Eels.
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But Kent fired back on Wednesday evening, accusing the Melbourne coach of encouraging dangerous practices in the sport.
“Grapple tackle, chicken wing, rolling pin, hip drop, crusher, crocodile rolls, cannon balls, ankle twists — they are all tackles designed to make and injure players, all pioneered in Melbourne,” Kent said on NRL 360.
“The only constant in Melbourne since 2005 when all those tackles have been brought in and later banned in the game is the head coach Craig Bellamy.
“So I think the less advice we take from Craig Bellamy about the welfare of players the better — and you can go to town on that because you know what they are the ones that are doing it.
Shit, I actually agree with Kent
Go Dogs
the use of wrestling, grappling and the slowing down of the ruck has seriously detracted from the game as a product and entertainment... and the Storm have been the best at it
but sport is a contest and not necessarily between equally talented players or teams... and so it also becomes a contest as to tactics, preparation, attitude, gamesmanship, mentality etc... and in this contest, you seek whatever advantage you can to win
for example, the Eels teams of the 80's on talent alone were better than the 'Dogs and yet the ledger reads 4 premierships plus another GF appearance each during that decade... and I think that is because we were tougher, better defensively, better prepared, better tactically... Sterling, Kenny, Price, Cronin, Ella, Grothe etc. were stars, made team of the decade selections etc. but we changed the way the game is played --> rules had to be changed because of us
so, as a 'Dogs supporter proud of the "Dogs of War" teams in the mid-80's, I respect the Storm and what they have done WITHIN the rules to win... they breached the cap and got the punishment they deserved and in truth, I am sceptical of the claims of the coach and some players that they did not know what was going on --> yes, people gift me a boat too simply out of a genuine respect and affection
there is a player welfare issue though to take into account as a result of the greater emphasis on wrestling and grappling... these skills are learned from martial artists and so, can lead to hurting players on the field accidentally (eg. Alex McKinnon) or intentionally (see how Adam Blair used to twist tackled players lower leg which could cause ligament damage or how Sika Manu used to drive his knee into players calf muscles or thighs when tackled to cause corks)
