Parker blasts NRL judiciary as Kennedy faces suspension for contact with referee

Cronulla Sharks fullback Will Kennedy is arguably the most unlucky man in the NRL as he faces a one-week suspension for accidentally running into referee Adam Gee in his side’s 58-6 win over the Tigers.

Whilst trying to support his side in attack, Kennedy barged over the referee inadvertently and despite not being penalised for the incident during the game, the NRL’s Match Review Committee hit the fullback with a grade two Contrary Conduct charge.

The Sharks confirmed on Monday morning that Kennedy would take an early guilty plea, meaning he will be on the sidelines for his side’s next game.

With the decision causing a stir amongst the rugby league community, SENQ’s Corey Parker didn’t hold back with his criticism towards the NRL’s officiating of these incidents.

“At no stage ever in my 16 years of playing top grade football did I ever go out with an intention to hit a referee, it is complete accident, let’s get past that,” Parker said on SENQ Breakfast.

“No player goes out there to hit the referee or make contact with the referee, how many times have we seen a player make contact with a referee this year, I reckon I could count it on one hand.

“Will Kennedy… he’s looking at a minimum 1-2 weeks, Jahrome Hughes made contact with a referee and he got suspended, where’s the discretionary accident and why are we suspending players for accidental contact with the referee?”

Hughes found himself in a similar situation to Kennedy earlier in the year as he was attempting to defend his try-line and pushed Chris Butler out of the way to make a tackle.

“Why can’t it just be a complete accident?” Parker added.

“There’s 26 players and a referee moving in all different parts and directions on the field, you would suggest there’s going to be an accident at some point.

“I don’t understand nor do I comply with the fact that he is getting a 1-2 game suspension… if that’s deciding what could be a Grand Final with our biggest stars, oh boy.

“This is the corner they’ve backed themselves into, if that’s the adjudicating factor that you’re going to have one week or two weeks (suspension), they’re given no other opportunity.”

Kennedy will now go two weeks without a game as the Sharks go into a bye round this weekend before a clash with the North Queensland Cowboys in Round 21.