Points to consider:
* The ball runner was still aggressively trying to make meters and or break the tackle, at no point had Seyfarth surrendered. (That’s probably why the ref hadn’t called held, because his progress was not stopped and there was an opportunity to promote the ball and or a 2nd phase play)
* Josh was entitled to become involved due to the above and with no call from the ref of held, it is his job to stop the ball runner and put him on the ground.
* The initial point of contact looked to be above the knee, what made it look worse was Seyfarth‘s movement during the attempt which may have caused Josh‘s point of contact to look awkward while sliding down the leg, even after first contact Seyfarth continued to turn his body, contributing to the end result, which for mine is nothing more than unfortunate incident.
* There was no penalty blown immediately, it only become an issue once it was obvious Seyfarth was injured, then, no send off, no bin, during the game, which clearly demonstrated that Klein didn’t initially see it as foul play, it was only placed on report as a result of the injury and Klein said quote “ it was unnecessary and dangerous contact” . How can it be deemed unnecessary when there was no call of held, while clearly Seyfarth was still trying to earn post contact metres or promote a second phase play, Josh had every right and further more obligation to join the tackle and stop the ball runner.
* Then there’s Men’s Rea, which is intent and given there was absolutely none what so ever, just a big man making a legal play at stopping the ball runner, exactly as his trained to do and exactly as we see in every other game, 3rd man in takes the legs in an attempt to stop the ball runner and finish the movement on the ground. Given there was already 2 defenders up top struggling to stop Seyfarth, Josh’s instinct was to tackle the legs.
* It would be very different if Klein had called held or perhaps even if Seyfarth had surrendered in his effort, remembering neither occurred, the original point of contact was above the knee and always looked to be aimed at hitting above the knee, as pointed out the continued movement in the play was a contributing factor in how it looked initially and how the attempt at tackle ended, there was no intent and no interpretation of intent by Klein‘s on field decisions. It’s just an unlucky and if anything slightly clumsy, but legal attempt to tackle the ball runner. Should even eventuate in a fine least of all a charge based on the evidence in my opinion, but that’s just my opinion, backed up by what I saw and the on field actions of the players and more importantly the referee.
And yes I am a one eyed Manly supporter, however I have given my honest take on the incident and I’d have no problem saying it the other way round if I believed Josh did the wrong thing or was guilty of dangerous contact, regardless of where my loyalties stand. So I hope common sense prevails and that nothing comes of it, I will be disappointed in the whole process if it ends in time on the sideline.