MARK ‘SPUDD’ CARROLL: Kyle Flanagan did not bite Stephen Crichton, Des Hasler’s woes and Panthers v Storm

Let me get this out of the way straight off the top – I hate biting.

I put it right down there alongside eye-gouging as one of the grubbiest acts in the game.

If a bloke tried to bite me, I’d put one on his chin so fast he’d be snoring before the referee could blow his whistle.

But Kyle Flanagan does NOT deserve to be suspended for that incident with Stephen Crichton during the Dragons-Bulldogs game on Saturday night.

What did Crichton expect to happen when he inserted his nose into Flanagan’s mouth?

I was watching the slow-motion replays on Fox League thinking “hello, what’s going on here?”

Seriously, Flanagan is flat on his back and Crichton – a bigger and stronger man - is laying right on top of him and grinding his face into that of the Dragons five-eighth.

So much so, his nose literally goes into Flanagan’s mouth.

Flanagan – probably gagging - clamps down a bit, then the TV cameras show some blood on Crichton’s nose and all hell breaks loose.

When the match review committee hands out their findings, Flanagan was referred straight to the NRL judiciary – never a good sign.

Based on previous suspensions, I reckon he’s looking at a ban of around four weeks if he’s found guilty.

Bulldogs prop James Graham was given 12 weeks when he chomped on Storm fullback Billy Slater in the 2012 grand final, but that was an extreme case. You could see Graham bite down on poor Billy’s ear – like Mike Tyson on Evander Holyfield in boxing years ago!

Here is why I don’t think Flanagan should be suspended.

Crichton is the one who puts his nose in Flanagan’s mouth – not the other way around.

And from what I’ve seen, it also looks like he has his hand under Flanagan’s chin.

If someone shoves something in your mouth and you feel as though you’re choking – what else are you going to do?

It’s not like Flanagan saw Crichton’s nose and lunged for it.

If he took his mouthguard out and went for a bite, then – absolutely – give Flanagan 10 weeks.

But that’s not how I saw it.

No player goes out there to deliberately bite an opponent. Not these days anyway.

The judiciary should look at Crichton’s antics and find Flanagan not guilty.

I was never bitten during my career, but I do remember a very famous incident back in 1986.

It was rugby league’s most controversial bite – and it never actually happened.

Balmain and Souths were playing a semi-final at the SCG – which brought together rival hookers Benny Elias and Mario Fenech, who didn’t like each other too much.

Anyway, with the game in the balance, a scrum packs down then Benny pulls out screaming in pain.

“He bit me! He bit me!”

Benny shows referee Kevin Roberts the bite mark and he sends Fenech from the field.

Fenech can’t believe it and just shakes his head before trudging off.

Down to 12 men, Souths end up getting thrashed and their season is over.

Later the truth came out – Benny bit himself on the hand and blamed Mario!

AND DON’T GET ME STARTED

Honestly who would want to be a coach?

In last week’s column I was raving about the job my old mate Des Hasler was doing at the Gold Coast Titans.

After blowing away the Broncos, they were arguably the form team of the competition and heading for the finals.

An injury-hit Sharks come to the Gold Coast and are expected to be easy meat for Dessie’s destroyers.

Titans 0 Sharks 44.

How do you explain that type of form reversal?

It’s amazing Des still has his flowing locks because if it was me, I would have pulled out every strand during those 80 minutes on Friday night.

The game at this time of year becomes such a mental battle.

If you’re not fully focused, if you’ve been reading all the positive headlines, you’re going to get your pants pulled down.

It was a sensational weekend of footy and it only gets better this upcoming round.

The Storm and the Panthers – first versus second – kick things off on Thursday night.

The result could decide the minor premiership and it’s being called a grand final preview.

Both teams had patchy wins on the weekend, because I reckon, they had an eye on this one.

The Panthers again proved they’re the ultimate 80-minute team. The Eels led by 14 points with six minutes to go and must have been thinking about a celebration drink.

But the three-time defending premiers are NEVER dead.

There will be 20,000 fans packed into Bluebet Stadium on Thursday and when Hells Bells blasts from the speakers as the Panthers run out – man, the hairs stand up on my neck just thinking about it!

It’s easily the most intimidating place in the NRL.

Bring it on!