DYLAN Napa took the early guilty plea for his knockout tackle on Andrew McCullough.

Napa knocked McCullough unconscious in Saturday night’s loss to Brisbane. He was charged the following day and on Monday took the early plea.

Solid debate has divided the game from whether Napa should have got charged at all to whether the three-week suspension was too lenient.

The Roosters’ immediate concern over Napa’s tackling style is availability. There are long-term decisions to be made, though.

Several NRL players in the past, and notably one player now, were known for using their head as a weapon in tackles.

Positioned correctly the effect is devastating. A concussion, one less player in the rotation and a whole lot of swagger for the defending team.

It seems barbaric to suggest it happens, but it happened and still happens. And for the same reason the headbutt is effective in a street fight.

The Roosters insist Napa is not among them, even after his second tackle this season.

But they cannot avoid the possible long-term health risks Napa’s tackles might cause.