Six players have been charged by the RFL including one Super League man as the new disciplinary system takes force.
It was confirmed by the RFL on Friday that the new disciplinary system would be rolled out with a few minor changes to the initial proposals, most notably the fact that charges would not roll over from the 2024 season.
That has helped provide clarity on the case of Hull KR man Eribe Doro who was initially hit with a ban for his Grade C charge of ‘Dangerous Contact’ in the Robins’ Amsterdam Challenge defeat to York Knights.
Whilst Doro’s charge was only worth 5 points on the new disciplinary system and would be punishable by a fine, he was handed a ban due to his 2024 charges carrying over.
Today it was confirmed that every player starts on a fresh slate meaning Doro is simply fined but he will keep those 5 points on his record. He was not named to Hull KR’s Challenge Cup squad for tonight’s game against York Knights but would have been eligible now this change is confirmed.
RFL confirm first disciplinary charges including for Super League man
With that clarity out of the way, the RFL moved to bring charges against players from the weekend of February 1st and 2nd with a total of five players charged and one heading directly to the Operational Rules Tribunal.
Of those six players, one is Super League man Jack Murchie with Huddersfield Giants’ forward copping a Grade B charge for ‘Late contact on the passer’. As a result, he has been handed a fine and has 3 penalty points on his record.
Decarlo Tresise of Cornwall and Gregg McNally of Rochdale also landed Grade B charges worth 5 and 3 points for a ‘Dangerous Throw’ and ‘Contrary Behaviour’ respectively in their game against each other.
Meanwhile, McNally’s teammate Declan O’Donnell has been hit with a Grade E charge for ‘Making unnecessary contact with a player who is or may be injured’. As such, O’Donnell has been referred to a tribunal where his case will be heard further.
Jack Skelton (Newcastle Thunder) and Harry Bowes (Keighley Cougars) both received Grade A charges worth 1 penalty point for a Shoulder Charge and Head Contact respectively.
All charges can be seen below.
– Decarlo Tresise (Cornwall) – Opposition Rochdale – Grade C Dangerous Throw – Fine – Penalty Points 5 – Total Penalty Points 5
– Gregg McNally (Rochdale Hornets) – Opposition Cornwall – Grade B Contrary Behaviour – Fine – Penalty Points 3 – Total Penalty Points 3
– Declan O’Donnell (Rochdale Hornets) – Opposition Cornwall – Grade E Making Unnecessary Contact with a Player who is injured or may be injured – Refer to Tribunal
– Jack Skelton (Newcastle Thunder) – Opposition North Wales – Grade A Shoulder Charge – N/A – Penalty Points 1 – Total Penalty Points 1
– Harry Bowes (Keighley Cougars) – Opposition York Knights – Grade A Head Contact – N/A – Penalty Points 1 – Total Penalty Points 1
– Jack Murchie (Huddersfield Giants) – Opposition Featherstone – Grade B Late contact on passer – Fine – Penalty Points 3 – Total Penalty Points 3
