KEY POINTS:
The Warriors could be without star fullback Wade McKinnon for this weekend's crucial match against Parramatta.
The club has sought video evidence and taken statements from players to defend McKinnon from a spitting allegation which could end his 2008 season and bite well into 2009.
Touch judge Brett Suttor has claimed McKinnon spat in his direction in the 49th minute of the Warriors' 42-20 win over Penrith on Sunday, immediately after the Panthers were awarded a try to wing Luke Rooney.
The last pass to Rooney was clearly forward and Suttor, though running the line nearby, failed to call it, as did referee Ben Cummins. McKinnon, who denies Suttor's accusation, was put on report by Cummins and after the standard game review yesterday he was charged with conduct contrary to the good of the game.
The fact McKinnon has been sent straight to the judiciary for judgment rather than having a set grade of charge laid which would carry a set penalty is a measure of the seriousness with which the allegation is viewed by the NRL.
The last man to face a spitting charge was Shayne Dunley, who got four weeks for gobbing at another player. For the same assault on a touchie the penalty would be higher. And McKinnon has "form", a previous conviction for pushing referee Jason Robinson last season for which he received a two-week ban and still carries demerit points. The NRL's rule book states that: "If the player has been convicted of the same or a similar offence in the two-year period preceding the incident the player is liable to an increase of up to 50 per cent of the base penalty for each previous offence."
Nor will the fact Cummins had already issued McKinnon a warning about giving lip during Sunday's game help his case.
The Warriors were saying little yesterday bar they would defend the charge "vigorously," which will require McKinnon and a legal representative to appear before the three-man judicial panel in Sydney tomorrow night. At the very least, the uncertainty surrounding the outcome in itself disrupts the Warriors preparation ahead of the must-win game against the Eels at Parramatta on Sunday.
"We're not denying that he spat, he probably spits 50 times in a game ... it's not at the referee," said Warriors CEO Wayne Scurrah. "We don't condone any over-zealous behaviour towards the officials." They had spoken to McKinnon at length and he denied any wrong-doing. The club isn't making further comment before the hearing.
McKinnon is a brilliant player, as evidenced by his contribution to two good victories since his return from knee surgery. But he and the club must make changes to ensure the fiery attitude and aggression he delivers is channelled in the right directions.
The judiciary will hear another spitting charge tomorrow. Knights rake Matt Hilder faces a contrary conduct charge which alleges he spat at Storm wing Anthony Quinn in the 79th minute of Melbourne's loss in Newcastle.
