Every dangerous contact charge compared as some players banned and others not punished

Once again the most common charge from the Match Review Panel was for Dangerous Contact.

Of the 17 charges, 10 were for dangerous contact with nine players charged but only three bans were handed out to two players.

One player was cautioned for dangerous contact, two players were charged but not punished and five were fined.

So here is every dangerous contact charge as we try and highlight the differences:

Matt Costello – Caution – Salford Red Devils

“Dangerous Contact – Defender uses any part of their body forcefully to twist, bend or otherwise apply pressure to the limb or limbs of an opposing player in a way that involves an unacceptable risk of injury to that player.”

Analysis: The one player cautioned for dangerous contact. Clearly not dangerous enough to warrant a ban. We are starting to see a clamp down on pressure to limbs especially after last week and the hip drop tackle.

Ethan Havard – Grade A – No Punishment – Wigan Warriors

“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.”

Analysis: This though has been the most common dangerous contact charge for late hits and posing a risk of head or neck injuries. There can’t have been a big risk here though with no punishment.

Paul Vaughan – Grade B – One Match Ban – Warrington Wolves

“Dangerous Contact – Defender uses any part of their body forcefully to twist, bend or otherwise apply pressure to the limb or limbs of an opposing player in a way that involves an unacceptable risk of injury to that player.”

Analysis: As aforementioned, this is something the RFL is pushing hard on now. Vaughan’s must have been seen as more dangerous than others. It is likely his prior record in the NRL, which wasn’t exactly squeaky clean, worked against him here.

Jermaine McGillvary – Grade B – £250 Fine – Huddersfield Giants

“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”

Analysis: Another hit where the head is the focus. Perhaps McGillvary’s prior record protected him from a ban here.

Rhys Kennedy – Grade A – £250 – Hull KR

“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.”

Analysis: Same charge but Litten avoids any punishment. Less dangerous?

Edwin Ipape – Grade A – £250 Fine – Leigh Leopards

“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.”

Analysis: The game between Leigh Leopards and Wakefield Trinity was full of these charges but Ipape was more fortunate than his opposite number presumably his was less dangerous.

Liam Hood – Grade B – One Match Ban – Wakefield Trinity

“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.”

Analysis: Liam Hood’s therefore must have been seen as posing a bigger risk by the panel.

Matt Davis – Grade B – £250 Fine – Leigh Leopards

“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.”

Analysis: Take what I just said and reverse it.

Liam Hood – Grade B – One Match Ban – Wakefield Trinity

“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”

Analysis: Copy and paste the prior comments on Hood who has been hit the hardest this week.

Josh Charnley – Grade B – £250 Fine – Leigh Leopards

“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”

Analysis: Hood can be irked that Charnley, Davis and Ipape all avoided bans however especially Charnley who was also given a Grade B.