Cooper Cronk believes there has been a complete shift in how referees protect kickers from defenders after Coen Hess was penalised for a contentious late hit on Sharks playmaker Nicho Hynes.
In the ninth minute of the Sharks’ clash with the Cowboys, Hess was penalised for a late hit on Hynes that appeared to be simultaneous at worst.
“It draws a penalty on Coen Hess,” Dan Ginnane said.
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“That is in slow motion and it still almost looked in synch.”
“I was just about to say after a few of the penalties from last weekend, seeing this in back play that was going to be a penalty, but for me there is not much in that at all,” Cronk said.
“It is not late. It is not high. He has wrapped his arms around. The only thing is that Hynes’ legs are off the ground.
“They have definitely changed their approach the referees on protecting the kickers because over the last couple of weekends there has been some soft penalties given away.”
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Ginnane pointed out that the referee was only being consistent with the rule interpretations as they now stand.
“In fairness to Gerard Sutton that is consistent with how they are playing it,” Ginnane said.
“But that foot was barely off the ground.”
Cronk believes coaches need to re-train defenders on how to approach kickers to avoid giving away crucial penalties in the future.
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“The coaches are going to have to change their mentality here for their players because a few years back you couldn’t push, then they went from having to wrap your arms to protect the kicker,” Cronk explained.
“Now you basically can’t even touch them.”
