Josh Addo-Carr's Koori Knockout drama exposes divisive NRL reality
The Bulldogs winger was banned after his punch-up at the Koori Knockout tournament.
NRL clubs hoping to gain support for a game-wide ban blocking players from competing in non-sanctioned end-of-season tournaments like the Koori Knockout are likely to meet heavy resistance. Injuries to Bulldogs star Josh Addo-Carr and St George Illawarra flyer Tyrell Sloan at this year's event came after the NRL sent a letter to all clubs, warning of the dangers of players playing in competitions outside its jurisdiction.
The NRL also revealed it would be reviewing its arrangement to cover player insurance. Several clubs have privately voiced their concerns about releasing players for the Koori Knockout and other non-official tournaments – including boxing bouts - and may push the NRL to make a strong call at the next CEOs' meeting.
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But South Sydney, a club with a rich Indigenous history and boasting Koori Knockout regulars Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker, will resist any move to stop players from being involved. In fact, the Bunnies want the tournament to grow on the back of support from the NRL.
"We're probably a little bit different to most clubs in that we 100% support and want our players to play in the Knockout," Souths CEO Blake Solly told Radio SEN. "There's no concept of the players coming to us for permission. They know they're encouraged if it doesn't clash with representative fixtures or, in this case this year, our reserve grade (playing) in the state championship.
"We love the event. We think it’s hugely important, not only for rugby league but for the Indigenous community. It's the sort of (tournament) that the game should be celebrating and encouraging and helping continue to grow and thrive rather than stop."
Josh Addo-Carr punch-up raises concerns
Addo-Carr's revelation he was knocked out during a game and played on before becoming involved in a brawl that led to a two-game suspension raised concerns over player safety and wellbeing. But Solly insists there should be no concerns.
He said: "We were satisfied with the protocols and have been satisfied for a number of years. It's great that the NRL provides insurance, which gives us a little bit more peace of mind, and I'm sure the Knockout organisers, like any competition organiser, will look at what happened this year and improve it for next year.
"That's been the way in which that knockout has grown over the years. It's an extraordinary success story over the period it's been operating.
"It continues to grow from strength to strength and I think it's incumbent on the game, and administrators of the game, to encourage and foster that rather than destroy and tear it down."
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