McDonald: I’m no brawl boy!
Last updated 12:41, Tuesday, 20 May 2008
FIERY Whitehaven prop Ryan McDonald says his badboy image is undeserved, ahead of tonight’s disciplinary hearing in to his bust-up against Leigh.
The 30-year-old was found to have a case to answer after RFL disciplinary chiefs viewed the May 5 incident on camera.
He admits punching Leigh props Mike Morrison and Gareth Price, but blames Morrison for sparking the melee that followed by rushing in to strike him.
“I was underneath Gareth Price and he head-butted me in the face,” said McDonald, who has been one of Haven’s top performers this term.
“I reeled a couple of punches off, because I was upset at that. Mike Morrison then came in from behind and punched me in the face.
“If he hadn’t done that, it would just have been handbags between me and Price. There would have been nothing else. You’ve got to get a bit of frustration out right away.
“I was just standing up for myself. I wouldn’t have thrown two at Morrison if he hadn’t run in and hit me from behind.”
Morrison was sent off by ref Jamie Leahy, with McDonald and Price yellow-carded, and the incident placed on report.
Morrison picked up a two-match ban last week, after admitting running in and striking, and McDonald was yesterday undecided over how he would plead.
“It depends what they are accusing me of,” he added. “I have sorted my discipline out the best I can.
“My record is not as bad as people think. I’ve been sent off a few times but only banned once. That was at Bramley, 10 years ago. I got a two-game ban for a head-butt. “I’ve matured a bit since then.”
