After the conclusion of the round seven, a number of Super League plyers will be sweating the outcome of the Match Review Panel this week, including Hull KR captain Elliot Minchella.
‘Rivals Round’ was always going to be one weekend where the intensity ramped up that little bit more and clubs wanted to make their mark in their respective ‘rival’ fixtures.
The weekend saw nothing as dramatic as in previous years, there were no Fielden-McDermott esque coming-togethers, however that doesn’t mean the disciplinary committee won’t have their hands full this week.
Starting with the derby between Hull KR and Hull FC, Rovers skipper Minchella could be one that the MRP punish after a shoulder to the head on FC’s Sam Lisone.
The incident wasn’t picked up at the time, but Sky Sports commentator Jon Wells said that Michella was a “lucky boy” to not be penalised for the contact at the time.
Robins teammate Dean Hadley could also be in bother. The back rower was involved in the tackle that caused injury to Arthur Romano, who subsequently left the action with the help from the physios.
The incident was put on report, and if Romano is deemed to have been injured via foul play, Hadley could be looking at a charge.
Moving over to St Helens’ thrilling comeback win over Wigan Warriors, Matt Peet’s side not only lost the bragging rights but they could also be hit with two charges for some key players.
In the first half, Saints forward Jake Wingfield made an official complaint to referee Jack Smith saying that Wigan hooker Brad O’Neill had spit at him. The incident was put on report and an investigation will be done into that claim.
Elsewhere, Adam Keighran could again be in bother after a late hit off the ball towards the end of the tie. Keighran has already been charged for that this season, and is currently on 3.5 disciplinary points.
Waqa Blake’s evening lasted around 15 on Friday night as the Bradford Bulls man had to leave the field due to an MCL injury. Blake was the victim of what looked to be a hip drop tackle from Rhinos veteran Kallum Watkins, and if found guilty of that the Leeds back rower could be facing a stint on the sidelines.
From Sunday’s game between Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity, Joe Stimson could be looking at a charge following a late hit on Trinity’s Jay Pitts. Pitts juggled the ball before getting it away to Jake Trueman, who used the gap created by Stimson to score the opening try of the game.
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