Whilst I’m not arguing with the belief Watts has been hard done to, I’ll just play devils advocate for a while.
For me, the crusher incidents need to take account of intent. Some quite clearly happen by accident as players fall and body positions move.
Others are quite clearly deliberate as the tackler ‘folds’ the ball carrier beneath them and drops down vertically on top.
The latter are a disgrace that require stern action from the disciplinary committee.
In Watts’ case, it could be argued that he knew what was happening as he placed his arm on the ground and therefore, the result was intentional. The panel may have taken the view that rather than placing his arm on the ground, he could’ve taken a more suitable, alternative course of action.
