It came on the same weekend as the highly publicised “Rise for Alex” NRL round for injured Knights star Alex McKinnon, who was left wheelchair bound after a spear tackle earlier in the season.

While the image captured by Western Advocate photographer Zenio Lapka presents a far worse scenario than what was actually the case, it highlights the fine line players face in the heat of battle.

Keen to put forward his case for only awarding a penalty, Lander said yesterday the tackle on CYMS player Kyran Bubb was not malicious.

“It all happened in the blink of an eye,” Lander said. 

“Brent Seager picked up Bubb around the legs, along with Luke Carpenter, who had hold of his torso. 

“When Carpenter pulled out of the tackle, there was only one way the CYMS player was heading – and that was down on his shoulder.

“If Carpenter had kept hold of Bubb, he would have landed on his back.

“As ugly as the tackle looked, I made the call to award a penalty. That penalty allowed a dazed Bubb to leave the field under the replacement rule. 

“I felt I’d dealt with the matter and the game moved on.”

Lander said the match committee reviewed the video of the tackle on Tuesday night and agreed with his call.

“The tackle was looked at 20 or 30 times or more,” he said. 

“It was deemed there was no intent and Seager did not have his hands between Bubb’s leg, as is often the case with a spear tackle. 

“Seager is not a dirty player and has a good reputation. He’s just a hard and tough bloke.”

In his 13th season as a referee, Lander said the spear tackle has no place in the game.

“The players know this, especially following the tackle on Alex McKinnon,” he said.

 “It’s a no-go area of the game.”