Stephen Crichton The Match Review Committee (MRC) has issued a charge against Stephen Crichton for a Grade 2 Careless High Tackle, which carries a one-match suspension if he opts to accept an early guilty plea. The incident in question occurred when Crichton delivered a high tackle without using his arms, which resulted in a serious injury to Warriors center Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. The tackle forced Tuivasa-Sheck to leave the field, as he failed his head injury assessment (HIA), ending his night prematurely.
Should Crichton decide to challenge the charge and is subsequently found guilty by the judiciary, the consequences will be more severe. His suspension would be extended to two matches, making him unavailable for the remainder of his club’s regular season fixtures against the Manly Sea Eagles and the North Queensland Cowboys.
The decision not to penalize Crichton with a sin-bin has sparked controversy, leading to significant fallout within the NRL. According to reports from The Daily Telegraph, Liam Kennedy, the Bunker official who chose not to send Crichton off, is expected to face disciplinary action and be stood down. Both Andrew Abdo and Graeme Annesley, key figures within the NRL, have expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision not to dismiss Crichton from the field.
Additionally, referee Wyatt Raymond, who was involved in the on-field decision, may also face scrutiny for his role in the situation. The failure to penalize Crichton adequately has led to criticism from various quarters, including a notable backlash from Andrew Webster, who has publicly criticized the match officials for their handling of the incident.
In other disciplinary news from Friday night’s matches, New Zealand Warriors players Addin Fonua-Blake and Jazz Tevaga have been charged for Dangerous Contact. Fonua-Blake faces a fine of between $1,000 and $1,500 for his tackle on Connor Tracey, while Tevaga is in a similar situation for his contact with Samuel Hughes. The charges reflect ongoing concerns about player safety and the enforcement of rules regarding dangerous play.
In a separate fixture between the Brisbane Broncos and the Parramatta Eels, players Brendan Piakura and Reagan Campbell-Gillard have also been charged. Both players are facing Grade 1 Dangerous Contact charges but will only incur fines as penalties. This highlights the range of responses from the MRC, which varies depending on the severity and circumstances of each incident.
Overall, the latest round of charges and suspensions underscores the NRL’s ongoing efforts to address player safety and enforce its disciplinary codes. As the season progresses, the focus remains on ensuring that players adhere to the rules designed to protect their health and maintain fair play on the field.
