Settle Down! - By Felicity

In life, you can never make 100% of people happy all the time but this percentage decreases dramatically for rugby league fans. We are insatiable creatures, there is always something that has fans angry with the direction the game is taking.

2013 has been an angry year in the rugby league community. Controversies seem to pop up weekly ranging from the latest off field indiscretion from players to the constant change of rules with the spotlight being shone brightly on the shoulder charge specifically.

Following the immersion of social media platforms like facebook and twitter allowing fans to voice their opinions immediately creating a hype and furore around a subject. This week the focus has been once again on the shoulder charge after Josh Dugan was suspended for a week for his challenge on Saturday against Penrith.

It has added another black mark on the game to one that has taken many hits over the season but as fans we don’t help this issue. The flood of comments and outrage from people has made it a larger issue than was needed, Dugan took the one match ban and will be available for origin, that is it.

This brings me to a phrase I hate with a passion “the death of rugby league”, it gets brought out every time someone gets penalised or suspended for a shoulder charge. I can understand the frustration of fans with inconsistent rulings of referees (that is an issue for another blog post though) but the rule is in place and players know that if they commit the act they will get reprimanded either through a penalty or a suspension.


Because of Josh Dugan being suspended for a week doesn’t mean it is the death of rugby league, it means although we don’t like it, it is a step towards the right direction. Fans myself included need to calm down on the hyperbole immediately after a situation and realise most decisions are made to HELP the game rather than hinder.


So everyone #settlethefuckdown