Bulldogs forward Corey Waddell has been hit with a five-match ban at the judiciary after being found guilty of dangerous contact amid accusations of eye-gouging.
The incident in question occurred during the Bulldogs’ clash against the Gold Coast Titans at the weekend, when Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui claimed that he’d been eye-gouged by Waddell in a tackle attempt from the Bulldog.
Waddell initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, arguing that contact with Fa’asuamaleaui’s eyes was purely incidental in what was at times a tense judiciary hearing.
However, NRL prosecutor Patrick Knowles’ recommendation of a five-match ban was upheld by the judiciary, with Knowles urging the league to be “vigilant” against such actions.
“Contact between player’s fingers and the eye socket of another player is very dangerous and something the NRL must be vigilant to protect players from,” he said.
“You should place a penalty on player Waddell of at least five matches. I understand it is a lengthy penalty but player Waddell is not only guilty to reckless contact but you obviously take into account his lack of contrition.
“Player Waddell has not confronted the seriousness of the offence he committed.”
Knowles and Waddell clashed on a number of occasions during the hearing, with the prosecutor baffled by the player’s explanation for his actions.
The 25-year-old explained how a tackling position known as the “seatbelt” was to blame for the contact to his opponent’s eyes.
“I try and straighten the ball carrier so he gives up his base and loses control,” he told the judiciary.
“I put my hand over Max’s head and I found my hand on Tino’s forehead. I didn’t apply any pressure to his face at all and then I tried to push my hips into his hips to push him back.
“With my right hand I tried to grab his jersey and shoulder. My purpose was to get him onto his back with my teammates falling on top of him.
“As I went over Max’s head, I grabbed Tino’s forehead. At no stage do I apply any unnecessary or careless pressure to his face.
“As you can see as he starts to fall to the ground I release my hand. And then he grabbed my hand as he fell to the ground. At no stage were my fingers in or around his eyes.”
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