Morgan Knowles banned for Grand Final as another St Helens star also charged ahead of Leeds Rhinos clash

Following the latest round of Betfred Super League, Championship and League One fixtures, the Match Review Panel have issued the following sanctions:

John Bateman (Wigan Warriors) – Grade D Strikes – Refer to Tribunal
Morgan Knowles (St Helens) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – 2 Match Penalty Notice
Jack Welsby (St Helens) – Grade A High Tackle – 0 Match Penalty Notice
Daniel Kirmond (York City Knights) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Joel Farrell (Sheffield Eagles) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – 2 Match Penalty Notice
Brandon Douglas (Sheffield Eagles) – Grade A Disputes Decision – 0 Match Penalty Notice
Keelan Foster (Doncaster) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – 1 Match Penalty Notice

The following player was handed a caution:
James Roby (St Helens) – Other Contrary Behaviour

The charges above mean that Knowles will miss the Grand Final.

St Helens booked their place in the Super League Grand Final yesterday afternoon with a superb win over the Salford Red Devils in the semi-final play-offs.

Saints put the pressure on from the first minute against the Salford Red Devils, doing exactly what Paul Rowley’s men have done against Super League rivals all year.

Kristian Woolf’s side rolled into a 12-0 lead courtesy of two Joe Batchelor tries, but a moment of controversy then struck when Salford’s Chris Atkin – who was starting in place of the concussed Brodie Croft – went into a tackle with Morgan Knowles.

Knowles appeared to hold Atkin’s arm in a chicken wing hold – that is pulling Atkin’s arm behind his back as the rest of his body stayed stationary.

Referee Chris Kendall reached for a yellow card having consulted video official Tom Grant, but Saints boss Kristian Woolf believed nothing would come of the incident after the game.

“I’d be absolutely flabbergasted if that was a ban. I can’t really see what was dangerous in that,” said Woolf following the game.

“We’ve put things in place for dangerous play and I support that.

“But I can’t see what’s dangerous in that tackle, so I would be extremely surprised (if Knowles is banned for the Grand Final.”

Meanwhile, Jack Welsby is also said to be under the microscope following a big hit on Salford’s Chris Atkin.

It was a huge hit from the Saints fullback that had fans on their feet, but, on further inspection it appears there may have been contact with the head as Welsby made the tackle.

Some viewers also claimed to notice that the tackle left Atkin with a bust lip.

It followed a red card on Friday night as Leeds Rhinos were able to get over the Wigan Warriors after John Bateman was red carded after a clash with Aidan Sezer.