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South Sydney co-captain Michael Crocker has leapt to the defence of former club Melbourne over the 'chin strap' row that has engulfed the Storm.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy slammed Canberra counterpart David Furner on Wednesday after he criticised his side's tackling technique following the Storm's 24-19 win over the Raiders last Saturday.
Furner was so enraged by what he claimed was wrestling-like contact to the head, he sent video footage of certain incidents during the game at Canberra Stadium to the NRL.
However, Crocker, who played under Bellamy for three seasons from 2006, said he saw nothing wrong when he watched the game.
"I think it is a non-issue," Crocker said on Thursday.
"There were two incidents that I saw where there was accidental contact to the face.
"If the referee deems that they are penalties then I am sure that they will blow for it.
Bellamy's former assistant, Souths coach Michael Maguire, agreed with his skipper.
However, he refused to be drawn on the comments made by his former boss, who accused Canberra of thinking his players and staff were a "bunch of hillbillies".
"There were thousands of tackles made last weekend and I didn't think there was too much wrong with the ones they are talking about," Maguire said.
Hardly surprising, really, considering the tackle he made the other night!
South Sydney co-captain Michael Crocker has leapt to the defence of former club Melbourne over the 'chin strap' row that has engulfed the Storm.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy slammed Canberra counterpart David Furner on Wednesday after he criticised his side's tackling technique following the Storm's 24-19 win over the Raiders last Saturday.
Furner was so enraged by what he claimed was wrestling-like contact to the head, he sent video footage of certain incidents during the game at Canberra Stadium to the NRL.
However, Crocker, who played under Bellamy for three seasons from 2006, said he saw nothing wrong when he watched the game.
"I think it is a non-issue," Crocker said on Thursday.
"There were two incidents that I saw where there was accidental contact to the face.
"If the referee deems that they are penalties then I am sure that they will blow for it.
Bellamy's former assistant, Souths coach Michael Maguire, agreed with his skipper.
However, he refused to be drawn on the comments made by his former boss, who accused Canberra of thinking his players and staff were a "bunch of hillbillies".
"There were thousands of tackles made last weekend and I didn't think there was too much wrong with the ones they are talking about," Maguire said.
Hardly surprising, really, considering the tackle he made the other night!