Cowboys great Johnathan Thurston has hit out at Canberra's Hudson Young for his alleged eye-gouging incident just weeks after returning from a suspension for the same offence.
Young was handed an eight-match ban on Wednesday night for making dangerous contact on Warriors centre Adam Pompey's eyes in their clash on the weekend.
The Raiders forward missed five games for the exact same charge against Canterburyโs Aiden Tolman in round 12.
And it has left Thurston puzzled.
โHeโs already missed five weeks for it โฆ is he the dumbest player ever? Clearly. Imagine howย Sticky (Ricky Stuart) and his teammates are feeling right now. Heโs rubbed himself out of the finals series and heโll miss a fair chunk of next year. As a player, Iโd be filthy weโre missing one of our best 17 for the finals,โ Thurston toldย The Daily Telegraph.
Canberra turned to legal guru Nick Ghabar, the man who helped South Sydneyโs Sam Burgess escape suspension for his tackle on Cronullaโs Matt Moylan back in round 20, but was ultimately unsuccessful.
Raiders skipper Jarrod Croker came out to defend to his teammate.
โHeโs a good kid, it wasnโt ideal on the weekend. Heโs been through a few things when he was younger and heโs come out the other side. Heโs been playing some really good footy so we are making sure heโs wellbeing is good,โ he said.
โHeโs doing well. We had a breakfast and he was there and was in good spirits and I havenโt seen him since then. Thereโs not much more we can do until tonight.โ
The Raiders face the Melbourne Storm i this Saturday night's qualifying final at AAMI Park at 5:40pm (AEST).
If the player who received the alleged eye gouge denied feeling any thing, how could Young get 8 weeks?
There is no reason to have your hand anywhere near an opponents face but to go back a second time!!!! Heโs lucky itโs only 8 weeks. Grub act
Heโs in good company with BJ, dumb is an understatement
arrr … Johnathan ….. excuse me … Coffs Harbour?
And Josh McGuire, chookstir.