UNDOUBTEDLY the opening of the rugby league finals series this year has been the epitome of what this contact sport has become. The objective of ball handling and open play was in full view, but the gang-tackling and surreptitious tackler action surely had parents of league juniors wincing as they foresee their offspring advancing through the grades.
The pre-game build-up of the South Sydney and Roosters clash had players including Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Victor Radley, Tom Burgess and others as tough non-shirkers, and the stealthy actions of elbows, fingers, palms, forearms and even knees during the game and during the gang-tackles were on display.
