Billy Slater is in trouble over this tackle

THE guilt of Billy Slater begins and ends with how well Melbourne present their case.Like criminal court, a solid defence can make all the difference. The current criteria for a shoulder charge changed before last season, the NRL releasing the change in February.The difference centred on two changes: First, “the contact is forceful”. Second, “the player did not use, or attempt to use, his arms (including his hands) to tackle or otherwise take hold of the opposing
player”.This is where Slater has a defence.The front-on replay shows Slater’s right hand contacting Sosaia Feki before his body comes into contact.Slater can defend himself on the grounds he did use his hand. And if he did use his hand, it fails to meet the second test of what the NRL claims is a shoulder charge.Arguing the merits of it as a shoulder charge, saying it was not like other shoulder charges or not as the rule intended, will only convict Slater.Emotional arguments that Slater is retiring and should be not rubbed out of the game for such a tackle will also lead to his conviction.