Club shocked at suspension
KILLARNEY Cutters coach Tony Bryant is shocked about the extended suspension handed down to club centre Fred Walker.
At the Thursday night meeting of the Border Rugby League judiciary, Walker was suspended until the end of the 2012 season for player misconduct and engaging in conduct detrimental to the spirit and image of the game.
Walker was sent off in the August 6 game against Stanthorpe at Charlie Andrews Oval for a head-high tackle. He was also sinbinned for 10 minutes earlier in the game.
Bryant said the Cutters would appeal the decision.
“Fred is a bit disappointed. I expected he might have got one or two weeks for a head-high tackle and not all of this season and next season,” Bryant said.
“It is the longest suspension I have heard of for a head-high tackle.”
He said the change of judiciary night from Wednesday to Thursday last week made it harder for his club, which was unrepresented at the judiciary, to attend.
“Thursday is a training night for our team. Fred works away and is also involved with his children at Eastern Suburbs juniors which train on Thursday.”
The suspension robs Killarney of its best player for the 2011 finals series, and if he was to re-sign, all of next season.
