Round 16 judiciary: Loiero facing crusher ban, Pangai to pay, Pauga staring lengthy stint for stiff arm
Storm interchange forward Trent Loiero was the first player punished by the NRL match review committee – with the 23-year-old facing a two week ban for a crusher tackle on Herbie Farnworth.
It is Loiero’s second offence this season – but he will escape the charge with a $3000 early plea.
Pauga gets sent off. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Tevita Pangai jnr was put on report for a late tackle on Storm prop Christian Welch on Friday night in his NRL comeback with the Dolphins but has only received a grade-one dangerous contact charge from the match review committee.
Pangai will pay $1000 and move on to next week, where the Dolphins face St. George Illawarra.
Roosters centre Fetalaiga Pauga heads a list of Saturday charges. Pauga was sent off after a nasty stiff-arm on Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey. He rushed in off his edge and caught the chin of Tracey, who was visibly rocked after the illegal contact.
He has been charged for a grade two reckless high tackle and could be on the sidelines for five weeks if he contests the charge.
“(Tracey’s) not well,” Cameron Ciraldo said post game.
“It’s not great to see a player like that go off like that… so that was tough. We don’t want that on either side in our game, so it’s disappointing. He’s suffering a bit (in the dressing room), Junior.”
“It’s not for me to decide (what the outcome is). I’m disappointed we’re probably going to lose him for next week… it is what it is,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson said.
Sam Walker was also sent to the sin-bin in the dying stages of the game – dragging the foot of Viliame Kikau while the second-rower was preparing to play the ball. The halfback was also placed on report for a careless high tackle on Jacob Kiraz – but he will appear for the tricolours next week, having to pay a $1000 fine.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was sent to the bin for an above-horizontal lift on Jayden Campbell – but the tackle was a borderline penalty offence. The Warrior will have to pay $1000 for the grade one dangerous throw.
Marata Niukore and Jack Wighton were both placed on report for careless high tackles – but the pair will both play next week, given they accept the $1000 and $1800 early plea fines.
Karl Lawton, Jayden Campbell and Te Maire Martin have all been fined $1000 for grade one dangerous contact.