Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Broncos forward Brendan Piakura and Dolphins utility Ray Stone have been banned for high shots as the NRL ramps up its mid-season crackdown.
Piakura faces a suspension of 2-3 matches for a grade-two careless offence on Tigers prop Terrell May while Fa’asuamaleaui and Stone are looking at 1-2 games for the same charge.
Seven players were pinged by the match review commitee from Saturday’s three fixtures with Eels centre Will Penisini ($750-$1000 for dangerous contact), Titans duo Jaimin Jolliffe ($1000-$1500) and Beau Fermor ($750-$1000) for high tackles and Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs ($1000-$1500 for tripping) copping fines.
Titans coach Des Hasler insisted something needed to change after Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was sin-binned in the second minute for a high shot on Felise Kaufusi.
“People pay good money to come and see a game of footy,” Hasler said. “With the playing at the head, I think it just interferes a bit with the integrity of what the game is about.
“Where is the intention? It’s just another spoiling part of the game. It’s not quite as bad as Magic Round two years ago, but I find it’s disappointing. It’s an area that they have to look at with the intention. In six weeks when another competition starts with State of Origin, there are going to be people in the sin bin.
“I’m not going to be using it as an excuse (for losing) … but it’s just uncalled for. It’s not the first time it is going to be stated, but it’s a forceful game sometimes.”
Cowboys hooker Reece Robson has been charged by the match review committee for a high shot which sent him to the sin bin on Friday night but it was not deemed worthy of a ban.
The NSW representative was slapped with a grade-one careless high tackle for the hit on Panthers fullback Daine Laurie but is free to play next weekend.
He has been fined $1000 while Panthers prop Moses Leota is also facing a monetary punishment only after he was charged for a crusher tackle on opposing forward Sam McIntyre.
Penrith had the better chances, had an extra man advantage in a crucial window before half-time when Robson was sin-binned, and faced a Cowboys side who lost their first three games of the year and co-captain Reuben Cotter to illness on game day.
But the usually machine-like Panthers were clunky in attack and struggled to contain a humming North Queensland left edge in their second match at their adoptive home.
Robson clipped Laurie on the chin as the fullback fell into a tackle in the 25th minute at CommBank Stadium and after referee Peter Gough delayed play so the Bunker could check the incident, he was sent on his way.
“I can’t disagree with that but I thought there were a couple that we should have got as well,” Cowboys coach Todd Payten bemoaned. “Just looking for consistency.”
Izack Tago, who was sin-binned late in the piece for minor high contact on Murray Taulagi, was not charged.
Raiders duo Seb Kris and Hudson Young, along with Sharks forward Billy Burns were pinged for high tackles from Thursday night’s game but are only facing fines.
with AAP
