Kenny Edwards will escape suspension for his ugly shot on Brisbane winger Jonus Pearson during Parramatta’s upset NRL win over Brisbane.
Edwards has been charged with a grade-one contrary conduct offence over the hit, which had caused tempers to boilover on Friday night at ANZ Stadium.
He faces a $1500 fine, which can be reduced to $1100 if he enters an early guilty plea.
Edwards angered Broncos players after driving his shoulder into Pearson as he was on the ground, following a high shot from Eels forward Nathan Brown.
Brown was also not charged over the incident, and could recover from a facial injury for Thursday’s clash with Canterbury.
But it was Edwards’ shot that most annoyed Broncos coach Wayne Bennett.
“That’s not the look that the game wants. It’s up to the game to do something about it,” Bennett said.
Broncos skipper Darius Boyd added: “It is pretty scary if someone is concussed and someone comes down to tackle him or hit him again.”
However Edwards claimed he didn’t see the initial tackle from Brown and had no idea Pearson had copped a head knock and was injured.
“Simply, I didn’t think the tackle was complete,” Edwards said.
“I didn’t see the high shot Browny put on until afterwards.
“I just went in hard like I always do. Unfortunately, Browny hit him high, which I didn’t see. I saw the replay and, if I could go back, I wouldn’t do it again.”
Warriors forward Sam Lisone was not charged after he was placed on report for allegedly lifting his knees in a run that knocked out Cronulla five-eighth Fa’amanu Brown.
Brown left the ground on a medicab and was taken to hospital. However, he has been cleared of any serious injury and could face Canberra next Saturday night.
John
Guest
Yeah I think it was 9 matches.
steveng
Roar Rookie
I don't know where Edwards gets his mentality from??? The bloke is an utter basket case!!! Why would he have flopped onto Jonus Pearson, who wasn't going anywhere and he looked like he's injured, why why why??? That was the stupidest thing I've ever seen (couldn't believe what I was witnessing) as it was done with pure malice and aggression, just watch Edwards face and demeanour.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don't know. I've watched it again and I don't know how you can tell whether Edwards knew or not. It's tough because it doesn't look good when you know Pearson was injured but Edwards didn't really do anything wrong. You certainly can't suspend him for it.
johnno2
Guest
here here
Big Daddy
Guest
Completely agree. They will come out with all the lines. Not in his DNA, out of character , all the usual BS excuses to make out he's completely misunderstood. He gets fined $1000 bucks, what a joke the NRL is.
Wild Eagle
Guest
Edwards claims that he didn't see the high hit on Pearson. I've had a good look at the video and it is a complete lie. He had a perfect view of the high tackle from close range. What he did was pathetic and nasty . Any other player on the field would have gone in to help the stricken player. I googled Kenny Edwards and he has a history of ridiculous behaviour. If there isn't a rule to say you can't savagely maul an injured player lying on the ground then they need to bring one in and give this clown a long holiday.
Big Daddy
Guest
Didn't the guy in superleague get 5 matches for picking up Bird and then dropping him like a spud.