‘Never seen this before’: NRL great Smith slams ‘ridiculous’ Taylan May suspension
Taylan May #TaylanMay
NRL great Cameron Smith has slammed the NRL for their “ridiculous” decision to hand Panthers winger Taylan May a two-game suspension for the start of next season.
May was found guilty of assault occasioning bodily harm by Maroochydore Magistrates Court last week, following an incident at a Sunshine Coast pub in October.
CCTV footage shows a fan speaking with Penrith stars Nathan Cleary and Tyrone May, before Taylan May went up behind up behind him and pulled him to the ground.
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The NRL handed down their punishment on Tuesday, which included a $7,500 fine (50 per cent suspended) and a requirement for the rising star to attend counselling, education and training.
But May will be allowed to play in this year’s finals series, as the Panthers look to defend their crown, with his suspension set to start next season.
Australian Rugby League commissioner Peter V’landys told Channel Nine that May was allowed to play finals so “Penrith fans” wouldn’t be penalised for the 21-year-old’s actions.
But former Melbourne Storm captain Smith has questioned the inconsistencies surrounding player suspensions, with other teams and supporters having paid the price in the past.
“We all know how the season ended for the Broncos. They were missing one of their most influential players for a month in Patrick Carrigan for a hip drop tackle,” Smith said on SEN’s The Captain’s Run on Thursday.
“He got four weeks, in those four weeks the Broncos lost three games and won one, and just really put a nail in their coffin for the season.
“The Roosters, they’ve lost Lindsay Collins for four weeks for a similar incident, a hip drop tackle on Tom Eisenhuth against the Storm. They won’t see him again this year unless they make the Grand Final.
“Did the Roosters or the Broncos fans apply those tackles, because I’d like to think that now they’re being punished for those players not being there.
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“Latrell Mitchell, high contact on Joseph Manu, (he got) six weeks. He missed the entire finals series and a Grand Final that they lost by just two points, two points against Penrith.
“Was that the Rabbitohs fans’ fault that Latrell performed that high contact on Joey Manu? No it wasn’t, so why are we now changing the rules?
“I bring up these three cases because we’ve got the same management in the NRL, we’ve got the same management in our commission, yet we’re changing the rules.
“It’s ridiculous. We’ve never seen this before…I just think this is craziness. He should be serving his two weeks right now.”
May has been named on the wing for the Panthers’ Qualifying Final against the Parramatta Eels on Friday night.
The 21-year-old winger has been in fine form for the minor premiers, scoring 16 tries and running for 3,165 metres in his 20 games this season.
The Eels are the only team to beat the Panthers twice this season, but Penrith are the favourites as they look to rewrite the form guide in front of their home fans tonight.
Penrith fans would’ve had this game marked in their calendars for quite some time, too, with star halfback Cleary set to return from suspension.
Cleary, who is one of the best players in the NRL, received a five week ban after a horrific spear tackle on Dylan Brown against the Eels in Round 20.
Smith is confident that the New South Wales playmaker will be ready to go in the battle of the west, but admitted that he could be a “bit rusty”.
“I think he’ll be ready to go. He’ll be itching to get back out there and start playing again,” Smith said.
“I’ve got no doubt that he may be a little bit rusty in certain parts of the game, particularly defence, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Parramatta send a bit of traffic his way early.
“There’s no doubt that physically he’ll be ready to go. He’ll be fit, there’s no doubt he would’ve prepared himself and kept himself in good condition over the last five weeks.
“In a way, it’s given him an opportunity to try and sort out some of those bumps and bruises that he may have been carrying up until that point.
“This may be a blessing in disguise for Penrith.
“The only team to beat Penrith twice this year is Parramatta… they’re a very good side.”
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