Following the latest round of Pre-Season Friendlies, the Match Review Panel have issued the following sanctions:
Perry Singleton (Workington) – Grade C Strikes – 2 Match Penalty Notice
Anthony Walker (Bradford) – Grade A Charge – 0 Match Penalty Notice
The following player was handed a caution:
Jamie Doran (Workington) – Dangerous Contact
That follows the news that Leeds Rhinos forward James Donaldson has been handed a two-match ban.
Leeds had beaten local rivals Wakefield Trinity in the Wetherby Whaler Boxing Day friendly in comfortable fashion, but Donaldson had been cited for a late hit.
The minutes have since been revealed as to why the Leeds man was handed a two-game ban: “Dangerous Contact – A defending player makes contact with an opponent after the ball has been released by an opponent in a vulnerable position which causes flexion to the head, neck or spinal column on an attacking player, which poses an unacceptable risk of injury to that player.”
The 2021 Super League season was noted for its crackdown on late hits on passers and kickers, particularly as the victims relaxed their bodies rather than bracing for a shock impact.
A number of injuries had been suffered following such impacts, not least to the likes of Castleford Tigers’ Danny Richardson and St Helens’ Theo Fages.
Is this how the RFL mean to go on? With a very strong stance on such indiscretions would almost certainly influence players to stay away from late hits which would undoubtedly benefit the game.
Donaldson will be available to start the season as his two-match ban will take into account friendlies.
