SEN’s Cameron Smith has refuted Greg Alexander's claims that the Melbourne Storm invented the hip drop tackle that has led to significant injuries and suspensions this season.
Brisbane Broncos talisman Pat Carrigan is the latest player to be suspended for a hip drop tackle against Wests Tigers playmaker Jackson Hastings who suffered a season-ending ankle injury.
Alexander said on SEN 1170 Breakfast that the Storm were the first to introduce the tackle to the game which Smith vehemently denied.
“Brandy (Alexander) is a great analyst of the game and one of the greatest players of our game,” Smith said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“I just don’t know how he came up with that comment.
“To single out one club and to say that they introduced that tackle into our sport.
“That’s over the top.
“I can’t ever recall seeing Brandy at one of our training sessions throughout my career and my 20 years at Melbourne.
“To single out the Melbourne Storm is unfair; really unfair.”
The danger around the hip drop tackle is due to the tackled player being unable to protect themselves from a third tackler attacking their legs which has resulted in serious knee injuries such as torn ACLs.
Smith believes that the hip drop tackle has thrived as a result of the game transitioning away from one-on-one leg tackles.
“There are no rewards for leg tackles anymore,” Smith declared.
“Players are taught to have multiple defenders be in the tackle.
“If someone makes a tackle low around the legs, as soon as the ball carrier hits the turf, the referee is screaming at the tackler to release.
“So why would you perform that tackle anymore when you’re not rewarded for it?
“You are giving an advantage to the attacking team (because) you get to play the ball quickly.
“That’s completely against what you are trying to do in slowing the ball down.”