Yesterday, Huddersfield Giants star Will Pryce was handed a ten-match ban for a dangerous tackle on Hull FC’s Connor Wynne.
He went to a tribunal hearing last night where the young playmaker feared it could have been even longer.
Pryce told the Daily Mirror: “They are clamping down on all sorts of stuff this year.
“And knowing Luke Gale got five games for what he did, I did think I’d be out for the season.
“They were pushing for 12 games at first but we put my case forward and I explained how there was no malice there and it was just a freak accident.”
Pryce was eager to stress how much he panicked about the health of Wynne once the tackle had been made.
“I know I got it wrong. I was just happy to see Connor was OK. I was simply glad he was able to get up fine and I went over to apologise straight away.
“I messaged him after the game as well to make sure he was OK and safe and well. I just didn’t realise how far he’d flipped over when it happened.”
The Huddersfield teenager is keen to learn from his mistake.
“I will learn from what happened. It’s not a technique problem. It’s about putting everything into the game and trying to stop him doing what he can do. But obviously I didn’t get it right. I regret the challenge and I fully accept it’s my fault. I take full responsibility for that.”