The Primbee mother of a man who was nearly killed by a punch to the head has branded Paul Gallen's violence in last night's State of Origin game as "disgusting", saying such thuggery "should not be applauded".
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Simon Cramp was left fighting for his life on Sunday morning after being king hit on a night out in the Rocks.
In contrast, NSW skipper Gallen was cheered and credited with providing one of the great moments of Origin history when he repeatedly struck Queensland player Nate Myles in the head.
Angela Cramp, a self-confessed AFL fan, has spent the week by her son's side at St Vincent's hospital as he has made a miraculous recovery, but told Fairfax Media she was outraged by Gallen's action on the football field.
She said it set a dangerous example for young men who idolised footballers if such activity was applauded.
Mrs Cramp said it was "ridiculous" to say it's simply part of the game, adding that it was "crazy" for any member of the public to think it was appropriate conduct.
"They are thugs - it is not part of the game," she told Fairfax Media.
Simon Cramp recovering in St Vincent's Hospital. Picture: supplied"It's a bad example to show anyone. That's supposed to be entertaining? They shouldn't show it in the promos. He should have been marched off the field. It is disgusting, it is not part of the games and it should not be applauded. That should have been the end of it. It's not going to do anyone any good to promote that."
The Director of Trauma Services at St Vincent's, surgeon Dr Anthony Grabs, echoed Mrs Cramp's sentiments, saying if you watched the same thing occur on the street it would be a criminal assault.
"As a health professional when I saw this occur last night, I felt embarrassed that the community saw this as being the norm," he said.
"By celebrating punches on the sporting field it blurred the line of what was acceptable off the field. If it’s all right for our footballers to do this type of thing, why isn’t it all right for us if you don’t like someone? With the influence of alcohol on top the two [situations] can be indistinguishable.’’
Paul Gallen lands a punch flush on the chin of Nate Myles. Picture: GETTY IMAGESHe said there was no such thing as a "safe" punch.
‘‘You can’t be put up as a hero if you are inflicting violence to another person," he said.
‘‘I felt devastated that the community appeared to be celebrating the show by Mr Gallen last night.’’
He said it totally undermined the seriousness of what can happen when someone throws a punch at another person.
Gallen will miss Cronulla's match against Melbourne on Sunday after taking the early guilty plea on a striking charge levelled against him from the State of Origin opener.
Gallen was charged with grade-two striking after an incident involving Queensland's Nate Myles just before halftime in NSW's 14-6 win.
The NSW skipper will be free to take his place in the Blues side for the second Origin game in Brisbane on June 26.
smh.com.au, with Nicky Phillips
