‘Nothing sinister’: Kerr to fight NRL’s $10,000 fine
Joel Gould |
Queensland squad member Josh Kerr is set to respond to a proposed $10,000 fine issued by the NRL for comments he made the morning after the State of Origin decider.
The 29-year-old Dolphins prop was slapped with a breach notice by the NRL for breaching the code of conduct after remarks he made about the officiating of Ashley Klein.
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said the comments were made “for a laugh” and Kerr was not being serious.
He has until the close of business on Friday to issue his response.
The Maroons had celebrated their 24-12 win over NSW in Sydney and early the following morning Kerr had cameras and microphones put in front of him outside the team hotel.
Kerr initially queried why journalists wanted to speak to him as he was on the extended bench and did not play in the game.
The officiating was then raised and Kerr, the most garrulous and good-natured of players, went into his typically jocular mode of expression.
“I’m not sure how much trouble I could get into for saying it, but I thought Ash Klein did a bit to try and … even it up or make it a bit closer,” Kerr said.
“We were sitting there (on the bench) going, ‘it’s rorted, the game’s rorted’.
“I haven’t got the best eyesight at times, but I’m watching forward passes and shit. We were all on the sideline going, ‘oh no, it’s a double agent’.
“It makes it more exciting, doesn’t it, and it brings out the Queenslander in all those players.”
AAP understands Kerr will admit his comments were uncalled for and wrong but the size of the penalty in dollar terms has raised eyebrows considering coaches such as Todd Payten and Des Hasler have been issued final warnings this year for their comments on match officiating without being fined.
Woolf said Kerr, who is on a modest salary, had the club’s backing with his response.
“We’re supporting Kerry and have asked some questions around it, without going into details,” he said.
“There were a couple of things (to consider). What everyone loves about Kerry is that you put a microphone in front of his mouth and he tends to talk if you ask him a question.
“That’s his personality and why everyone loves being around him. He’s happy and talkative and has always got something going on in his mind.
“He’s a great, fun guy to be around. It was certainly said in a fun context. I don’t think there was anything sinister about the comments at all. He was looking for a laugh.”
Kerr was not in the Dolphins’ care at the time and the club was bemused that he was speaking at all after a night of celebrations.
“It’s a situation he shouldn’t have been put in, to be fair. It could have been handled a little bit better,” Woolf said.
“I’m not going to point fingers at anyone or go into any more detail.
“(The penalty) is probably a little bit harsh, particularly with the context.”
The NRL had earlier expressed their view of Kerr’s comments.
“The comments are considered detrimental to the best interests of the game and also serve to undermine the credibility of match officials,” the NRL said in a statement.
AAP
