Andrew Voss oderd for brutal Clint Gutherson suspension” in bid to crack down on ugly NRL trend” one fan wrote in response to Voss’ question. Another said….
Around the NRL globe, Parramatta skipper Clint Gutherson has already received harsh criticism for his dramatic collapse against the Wests Tigers. Additionally, seasoned analyst Andrew Voss has urged referees to take tough measures against players who, in an attempt to fool referees and win a penalty, dive or pretend to be injured.
In the ‘Spoon Bowl’ on Friday night, when his team thrashed the Wests Tigers 60–26, Gutherson committed one of the most ridiculous blunders of the season. Following the match, interim Eels coach Trent Barrett disclosed that his captain was playing with three fractured ribs from three weeks prior, in addition to a torn quad. However, Gutherson’s surprising act of play-acting has put him in the crosshairs of furious league fans, overshadowing his daring and toughness.
Parramatta were 26-10 up with 30 minutes to go when the Tigers had an attacking set near the Eels’ tryline and Gutherson saw an opportunity to try and milk an obstruction penalty for his side. The Eels skipper was seen deliberately running at a stationary Tigers attacker before wrapping his arms around him and flailing to the ground.
Clint Gutherson called out over flop against Wests Tigers
Gutherson immediately turned to referee Peter Gough looking for a penalty but the whistleblower was wise to what the Parramatta No.1 was trying to do and didn’t take the bait. Gutherson’s actions were so blatant that he could have been penalised himself for tackling the Tigers player without the ball. The incident went largely unnoticed at the time and wasn’t picked up on during the broadcast but plenty of fans called the veteran No.1 out on social media for the ‘shameless’ attempt to try and win a penalty.
Additionally, experienced league announcer Voss has piled on the criticism of Gutherson by arguing that the unpleasant occurrence should have resulted in charges and a two-game suspension. Voss stated that he didn’t believe many supporters would object to the NRL punishing players who intentionally try to fool officials into calling penalties.
Such a move would mirror what happens in football, where players can be yellow carded or handed retrospective punishments for diving or play-acting, even if the offence wasn’t picked up at the time. Many league fans feel like the NRL is already becoming more like football with players increasingly lying down in tackles to try and milk penalties or initiating contact in defence looking for obstruction calls to go their way.
NRL fans want crackdown on players trying to milk penalties
And Voss’ call for Gutherson to be banned over the incident against the Tigers drew plenty of support from league fans, many of whom say the increase in play-acting is ruining the game. Fans agreed that players are milking penalties with alarming regularity, with debate about sufficient sanctions ranging from sin bins, to fines and even suspensions in some instances.
“Totally agree, taking a dive, lying down to get an undeserved penalty is ruining the game,” one fan wrote in response to Voss’ question. Another said: “It’s becoming a blite (sic) on the game and needs to be stamped out now.” And a third added: “They need to get diving out of the sport somehow. Whether it be diving like this or laying down hurt for a penalty…its a shocking look for the game and its being coached into players games now.”
