More than half of all crusher tackle penalties in the past month were given in the first two tackles of a set, Fox Sports Lab can show.
Of the 17 penalties awarded over the period, nine came when the teams tried to step on the front foot early in the set.
In addition, it can be seen that two teams received the majority of the penalties for a tackle that the NRL intends to ban from the game.
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Fox Lab can show that in the first two tackles of a set, the Wests Tigers received a breaker penalty four times (five total) while the Ees were sitting on three (six total) right behind them.
The Warriors, Raiders, Bulldogs, Titans and Cowboys only received a single penalty for breaker tackles in the past month.
It’s a statistic that is likely to fuel the ire of Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy, who accused Eels players of milking penalties in his side’s 14-0 loss at Bankwest Stadium Thursday night.
John’s on report for crusher
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Albert Vete and Cooper Johns were both fined for breakers during the game. On both occasions, they were punished on further inspection from the bunker after Eels players Maika Sivo and Nathan Brown stayed downstairs.
The pair were unable to evade punishment, but Parramatta’s Marata Niukore, who was not punished, faces a two-game ban and is the first player to be indicted under the new rules.
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After the game, there was a head butt between coaches Brad Arthur and Craig Bellamy.
Brad Arthur took an exception to the suggestion that his players would milk penalties and appeared to be noticeably annoyed by questioning at the post-game press conference.
“What do you mean, just go downstairs? I would have to take a look. Nobody stays down on purpose, mate, ”Arthur replied.
Craig Bellamy saw it differently, however.
“I think I disagree with Brad … it’s the inconsistency I would call that.”
Find the stats below
Rd: 11 Conceded goal: Russell Packer (Tigers) Excellent: Maika Sivo (Aale) Tackle: 2
Rd: 11 Conceded goal: Russell Packer (Tigers) Excellent: Clint Gutherson (Eels) Tackle: 5
Rd: 11 Conceded: Russell Packer (Tigers) Excellent: Nathan Brown (Eels) Tackle: 6
Rd: 12 goals conceded by Adam Blair (Warriors) Excellent: Luke Garner (Tigers) Tackle: 2
Rd: 12 Conceded: Blake Green (Warriors) Excellent: Billy Walters (Tiger) Tackle: 2
Rd: 12 Conceded goal: Peta Hiku (Warrior) Excellent: Adam Doueihi (Tiger) Tackle: 5
Rd: 12 Conceded: Eliesa Katoa (Warriors) Excellent: Josh Aloiai (Tigers) Tackle: 1
Rd: 12 Conceded: J. Marshall-King (Bulldogs) Excellent: Blake Ferguson (Aale) Tackle: 1
Rd: 13 Conceded goal: Lachlan Croker (Manly) Excellent: George Jennings (Warriors) Tackle: 2
Rd: 13 Conceded goal: Kenny Bromwich (Sturm) Excellent: Sauaso Sue (Bulldogs) Tackle: 3
Rd: 13 Conceded goal: Kurt Mann (Knights) Excellent: Tommy Talau (Tigers) Tackle: 2
Rd: 14 Conceded goal: Tohu Harris (Warriors) Excellent: Isaah Yeo (Panthers) Tackle: 2
Rd: 14 Conceded: Jesse Ramien (Sharks) Excellent: Kevin Proctor (Titans) Tackle: 4
Rd: 14 Conceded: Liam Knight (Rabbitohs) Excellent: Kyle Feldt (Cowboys) Tackle: 4
Rd: 14 Conceded goal: Payne Haas (Broncos) Excellent: Siliva Havili (Raiders) Tackle: 4
Rd: 15 Goals conceded: Cooper Johns (Sturm) Excellent: Maika Sivo (Aale) Tackle: 4
Rd: 15 Conceded goal: Albert Vete (Sturm) Excellent: Nathan Brown (Aale) Tackle: 2
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