Wests Tigers second-rower Isaiah Papali’i is facing a ban for tripping, one of the rare times when this offence has attracted more than a fine.
He has been charged with grade-two dangerous contact for a 21st-minute incident on Knights prop Leo Thompson during Saturday’s loss at Tamworth.
If he enters a guilty plea, he will just miss Magic Round but could be out a fortnight if he challenges the charge.
Knights prop Daniel Saifiti‘s hopes of getting a NSW recall have taken a hit after he was slapped with a grade-two careless high tackle for a shot on Tigers hooker Jake Simpkin. He is also facing one or two games out.
Newcastle half Jackson Hastings and Wests forward Alex Seyfarth were also charged for high shots but can cop fines from the same match.
Storm skipper Harry Grant was handed a grade-one dangerous contact charge for his controversial sin-binning in Saturday night’s loss to Cronulla when he ran into the leg of former teammate Daniel Atkinson after a kick downfield.
Rabbitohs rookie Matt French ($1000-$1500 for dangerous contact) was the only other player charged from Saturday’s triple-header.
Earlier in the round, Parramatta forwards Ryan Matterson and Shaun Lane were charged by the match review committee for incidents in Friday night’s loss to Brisbane but won’t get suspended.
Matterson was hit with a contrary conduct charge for an incident involving Xavier Willison in the 50th minute and is facing a fine of $1800-$2500 as it’s his second offence.
Lane will be slugged $1000-$15000 for dangerous contact on winger Deine Mariner.
The only other player to cop a charge from Friday night was Bulldogs utility Kurtis Morrin ($1800-$2500) for a high tackle on Liam Henry.
No players were charged from the Dolphins’ win over Manly on Thursday.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Compounding that decision on Harry Grant, the judiciary has now decided it warrants a charge? The lunatics truly are running the asylum.
Nat
Roar Guru
I wonder if Matterson will fight the charge? Not much chance of winning but at least he will have to sit out games and not fork out the cash.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Thought Staggs was harshly treated in the back slamming of Talagi, looked horizontal at most to me. And the tackle where Herbie was harbour bridged, Klein said something like 'prolonged contact with the neck'. So, had he let go sooner.. Both penalties no charges.