vilisante's late shot

[dr nick]

that attack on brad fittler was one of the most disgusting things i have seen in rugby league for years, and it was in a game that was beamed across the country for all non- rugby league fans to see.

in my opinion, that initial shoulder charge was reckless and highly dangerous, but the head missile of vilisante was blatantly deliberate and a pure act of thuggery. initially i hoped he would be sent from the field, but seeing a scrum feed awarded to the warriors after that was outrageous. fittler was a sitting duck, and in he comes and leads with the skull, right into his face in the attempt to have him concussed and removed from the field.

today jim hall decided that vilisante would not have to appear before the judiciary. what sort of message does this send to all the new fans exposed to the game last sunday? would they be signing their kids up in the local league team next year seeing stuff like that??


WELL DONE ROOSTERS, im so glad in the end that the warriors got thumped, on the back of some inspirational footy from fittler. why was fitzgibbon given the churchill medal?? i thought that fittler was the standout. unfortunately the award is voted for 10 mins before fulltime, and i think that needs to be reviewed..

oh, and bring back sunday afternoon GF's!!!

 

[Desredandwhite]

IMHO the first hit was ok - clearly the intention was to charge down the kick. Fittler took on his man and copped it.

The second hit, not so sure about. At best it was unnecessary and crude.

 

[The Executioner]

I voted penalty.But I believe he should've been put on report as well as this would've allowed Fittler to come off and get checked out by the Dr. without it counting as an interchange.

 

[TigerCraig]

With high tackles there are gradings such as reckless, careless, deliberate.

Surely the diving head butt should at least rank as careless ???

Should have been a penalty and report.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Gee, it's one hell of a courageous call to deliberately dive into a tackle leading with your head. Surely he was risking damage to himself if that was his intention. Was unnecessary but I am not convinced his intention was to headbutt Fittler.

 

[dr nick]

Originally posted by The Old Dark Navy's
Gee, it's one hell of a courageous call to deliberately dive into a tackle leading with your head. Surely he was risking damage to himself if that was his intention. Was unnecessary but I am not convinced his intention was to headbutt Fittler.

i dont think its at all courageous. it isnt really that risky leading with the top of you forehead... its not as if he led with his face. headbutting has long been a form of cheating for a losing boxer. the one not expecting the headbutt always comes off second best

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

The point is that if you dive in like that, you are risking the intended victim shifting and headbutting a shoulder or a knee ... something that would do more damage to you than the other person. I am not suggesting a headbutt is courageous and the situation was not quite like two boxers starting from a very close in standing position. It was not absolutely clear what the intention was and they let it go at the time which suggested the video ref agreed.

 

[Ms.Storm]

Originally posted by Brett Li


I agree. If you look at the video eveidence, at no time does Vilisante look at Fittler's head to "aim" the butt. That makes him innocent in my book.....

I am with TigerCraig and Brett Li on this one.

Definate penalty because he was late.

It sure didn't look good because it was late and the injury to Fittler, but not convinced it was in any way deliberate..as his eyes were only on the ball.

 

[dr nick]

when you go and intentionally headbutt someone, you dont look at them, the whole point is to drive them with your skull, rhino style.