I RECKON it is obvious that the Newcastle Knights board needs to approach the NRL regarding enforcing a short hair rule similar to that in heavy industry ('NRL defends referee over Frizell penalty', Newcastle Herald 18/4). That means banning it or making it compulsory to have the said hair contained so that it is not a danger to the wearer and others close by. To penalise any player because another person's hair is long and in the way of the tackler is nothing but stupid, as I believe the wearer is putting himself in danger of injury.
A person using any machine is not permitted to operate the unit because of the possibility of the hair being caught in the machine. So, likewise, having long hair being pulled by a tackler should be put back on the referee or game officials, as, in my opinion, they are falling short if they allow such a safety risk to make it onto the field.
