McClean is second into the tackle if not joint first(he makes initial contact at the same time as number 14 and well before number .

There is no way on earth any serious person could say he was 3rd into the tackle. Nevermind 3rd man into a stationary tackle. Watch it again.

I think you've hit the nail on the head with the token gesture comment.

For me, the NRL needed to take one of two stances, either they condemn it and hand out a big ban to show that it's not going to be tolerated. Or they say it was an unfortante accident, find him not guilty, but then pledge to do more to educate players on their technique and the dangers of poor technique in order to prevent this happening again.

To me 7 matches is a half measure when this is someone's career over. It's as though they've thought, well the tackle wasn't bad, but we better do something to keep people happy. If they genuinely thought he was guilty I would have expected 15 games plus.

Well Docker wasn't suspended for his tackle on Graham last week. Why not?

The Beau Falloon one this week was on report, but that's it. The rest either resulted in a mere penalty or weren't noticed by refs. That one on Burgess the ref took about 10 seconds to call (probably had video ref in his ear), he wasn't even gonna call it and the commentators were going nuts.

If you had the inclination to start freezing the frame every time a players legs were lifted off the ground you'd discover that a lot of dangerous lifting tackles are ignored or the refs are far too soft on them when they do decide to "punish" players. Certainly the NRL don't react in any way that could be considered a serious deterrent, hence why they happen so many times each game.

I might make a compilation from one of the games next week to show you what I mean

Because he was only charged with a Grade 1 Dangerous Throw (which only constitutes 125 demerit points) and submitted an early guilty plea. As each 100 points received by a player results in a 1-match suspension, the early guilty plea came into play. The answers are out there if you care to look.

A penalty is still recognition of the offence by the referee. The Sam Burgess lift was in reality about 2 seconds. 10 seconds in RL is another tackle at least. Yes, the ref paused but the penalty and 'on report' was given. Was that the correct decision? Not in my opinion.

Look, as I've said, whether the punishments in the NRL have been sufficient is debatable. But my point remains - some have been saying these tackles have been let go, ignored, unpunished. That simply is not true. Whether the punishments are severe enough is another matter and absolutely needs looking at.

But the point is they might as well be let go. What's a penalty - assuming there is a penalty, I still contend in a lot of cases there isn't - without a suspension, preferably a significant suspension. Is it any sort of deterrent? Not really. If it was a genuine deterrent then these tackles wouldn't be frequently found in every game.

The NRL doesn't take them seriously and it's a joke that McLean received 7 weeks, all things considered. The number of incidents that have happened after the fact (and there's threads about this on Australian forums if you want to look) shows that the NRL care nothing about said tackles. They've scapegoated the Melbourne player and really ought to be ashamed of themselves for how they've handled the entire affair - and how they've conducted themselves prior to the injury.

I don't know how you could take any position other than the NRL are idiots and the punishment to McLean is excessive given how the judiciary usually turn a blind eye to those tackles.

If 7 matches is the perceived wisdom for up ending past the horizonal. Does that mean Ferres should get the full 8 for going 180 degrees with no other players contributing???

Are we setting an example that has to be followed through now? Or will it be a case of, everyone walked away this time so 1 match.

You do know the NRL Judiciary, rightly or wrongly, take the severity of the injury into account when deciding punishments? He was charged with a Grade 2 dangerous throw (325 demerit points), and received 400 demerit points for the severity of the injury. With 100 points equalling 1 week suspension, there's your 7 weeks. Hardly a scapegoat when you break it down.

And it also explains why similar dangerous tackles that don't result in injury (the vast majority) receive more lenient punishments. Further, as with Docker, the early guilty can come in to play.

I wouldn't be too sure about that.

One of the most sickening injuries I've ever had the misfortune of seeing in sport. I really really wish I hadn't watched it. It almost goes without saying that wish all the best for McKinnon, but I'll also spare a thought for McClean. Unless he is a stone cold 'person without a father' then he must be in pieces about it.

*Hmm. Stupid swear filter

Some really positive reports coming out in the last 24hrs and an emotional but positive vid of Alex online too. Still a long way to go for him and best not to get too carried away but he has feeling to his legs which is still a massive improvement on a few weeks ago.

Good to see him at Anzac Stadium this morning.
Knights put it all in for him but just came up short.