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Raiders skipper Elliott Whitehead was placed on report for a dangerous tackle on Dragons prop Blake Lawrie during Sunday’s 24-22 win at GIO Stadium.
Whitehead was involved in a two-man tackle with Jamal Fogarty in the 24th minute when Lawrie was rolled onto his back in an awkward fashion.
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“Awkward looking tackle, Whitehead able to reef Lawrie to the deck,” Fox League commentator Brenton Speed said.
“He’s not at all happy with this… Jack Bird going in to bat for Lawrie as well.
“It’s on report for… was it a variation of the hip-drop? It looked awkward, it looked unusual and Blake Lawrie was filthy with Elliott Whitehead.”
The St George Illawarra forward left the field after the tackle as referee Adam Gee put Whitehead on report. But thankfully Lawrie was cleared of injury and able to return to the field.
“I think he just used his leg as leverage to pull the player back, it’s unfortunate that Lawrie was on his knees at the time,” Greg Alexander said on Fox League.
“It can be construed as being dangerous, but I don’t think so, I don’t think there’s anything that says you can’t use your leg as leverage to pull a player back.”
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Braith Anasta then asked Mick Ennis if it was a hip-drop tackle.
“No I don’t think it was. His leg hasn’t come down on the back of the player,” Ennis said.
“Have you ever made a tackle where you can’t get the player down so you stick your leg out and drag him down on the back of your leg? I’ve done that and I think that’s all Elliott (is guilty of) ” Alexander said.
Ennis also believes Fogarty played a role in Lawrie ending up in an awkward position.
“I think Fogarty played a contributing factor there. Fogarty pushed him back over the top of Whitehead.
“Every dangerous tackle that happens doesn’t have to have a label,” Alexander said.
“Is that dangerous contact? I don’t know.”
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Whitehead and assistant coach Brett White told reporters after the game that they didn’t see the tackle as dangerous.
“I didn’t think I did anything wrong but the judiciary will look at it… and will probably see different,” Whitehead said.
White added: “I think Jamal pushed him back so I don’t think there’s any issue there.”
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