Regarding the McIlorum tackle: He times his arrival perfectly. There's nowhere for the catcher to go, he's flat footed after collecting the ball and has no time to even consider if he is going to go left or right to avoid the tackler. So the defender simply braces himself for the tackle, probably to maintain possession.

As a professional player, the tackler must surely know he's got him in the headlights and with his momentum against a standing player, all that is needed is all of his tackling force into the ribs. My opinion is when its so obvious that the catcher is just happy to take the tackle, why does the tackler run lopsidedly in order to get his arm fairly high up the body? This can only lead to riding over the catcher's shoulder or the ball and ultimately clocking him in the teeth. Maybe its a percentage thing that if you do go up and over, you can claim reckless rather than intentional?

I know there are those of you who think that you attack the ball to try and gain possession......or hit him as high up as possible to more easily knock him down but clearly the right technique in that instance was to cut him in half.....not in 90/10. I think it shows poor judgement/lack of skill from the tackler at best.....although I'm leaning to poor character. Still, at least its the first time he's been in trouble.

Not sure Gallagher was even given a penalty for a spear tackle on the day....can't remember. Was there though and at that time, was never likely to be considered a spear tackle. Haven't seen it since but no doubt it would be called today. Any way, it turned out he couldn't really play league......just ask Doug Laughton.