Nine players from the Super League have been charged following incidents in Round 20 of the season. Among those charged are three players from Leeds Rhinos. Despite the charges, no player received a suspension from the weekend’s matches.
Match Review Panel Decisions
The Match Review Panel issued charges, with players and clubs having until noon on Tuesday to challenge the verdicts. Any appeals will be heard later on the same day. Suspensions are typically issued when a player accumulates six penalty points, but points are reduced after punishments, such as fines, are served.
Matty Storton of Wakefield Trinity was shown a straight red card for dangerous contact with the head of Castleford’s Alex Mellor during Trinity’s victory over the Tigers. Despite the early incident, Trinity secured a win. Storton avoided a ban due to his disciplinary record, which included only one point over the past 12 months. He was charged with a Grade C Head Contact.
A rule within the system allows for a two-point reduction for any player sent off in the first half of a match. This reduced Storton’s penalty to three points, bringing his total to four, making him eligible to play in Perpignan on Saturday night.
Leeds Rhinos and Other Club Charges
Three Leeds Rhinos players were sanctioned after their win against Bradford Bulls. Ben Littlewood received two separate charges: a Grade A Late Contact on Passer and a Grade B Dangerous Contact. He left the field with an injury during the first half of the match. Rhinos half-back Brodie Croft received one penalty point for Grade A Dangerous Contact, as did James McDonnell. None of the Leeds trio received a suspension.
From the same game, Bradford’s Phoenix Steinwede was penalised for late contact on a passer, incurring a Grade B sanction and three penalty points.
Leigh Leopards winger Josh Charnley was charged with a Grade B Head Contact for a high tackle on Warrington Wolves’ Toby King, an incident that led to him being sin-binned. Warrington’s Leon Hayes received five penalty points for a Grade C Dangerous Throw/Lift in the same match.
Other players charged in Round 20 include Edenn Rogers-Smith of Catalans for Grade A Late Contact on Passer and Paul McShane of York for Grade B Late Contact on Passer. Matty Storton of Wakefield was charged with Grade C Head Contact.
Previous Suspensions
In related disciplinary news, Hull KR half-back Mikey Lewis received a four-match ban after two separate charges by the Rugby Football League. Lewis was charged with a Grade C for late contact on the passer and a Grade E headbutt during Hull KR’s defeat by Warrington. This suspension means he will miss upcoming matches against Hull FC, Bradford, Castleford, and Catalans.
Additionally, Huddersfield Giants’ Taane Milne was banned for three matches for a Grade E unnecessary contact with an injured player, and Wigan’s Kian McDermott received a two-game ban for head contact in the same game.
The Match Review Panel has issued its verdicts for Round 20, with clubs and players able to appeal until Tuesday.
Source: loverugbyleague.com