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Newcastle Knights’ Mitchell Barnett speaks out after being given huge ban for Chris Smith hit

by
Callum Walker
March 29, 2022

Newcastle Knights’ Mitchell Barnett has been slapped with a six-match ban following a shocking raised forearm into Melbourne Storm’s Chris Smith.

Barnett was sent off in the 32nd minute of last Saturday’s match in Bathurst after striking Smith in the jaw with a raised forearm and while the judiciary panel accepted that he did not intend to injure the Panthers forward they rejected his claim that he did not see him until the last second.

As a result, panel members Bob Lindner and Tony Puletua agreed on a six match ban for reckless dangerous contact, which sat in between the four matches sought by Barnett’s legal representative Nick Ghabar and the minimum eight match suspension NRL counsel Lachlan Gyles asked for.

A character reference from former ARL chief executive John Quayle, who was involved with the Knights when the NRL took over the club after Nathan Tinkler was forced to relinquish ownership, also weighed in Barnett’s favour.

“I got a fair trial and one thing I take out it is that I hope Chris is alright,” Barnett said. “I have sent him a text message and we have exchanged text messages.

“The lesson I learned is just that I obviously can’t be careless with my actions in terms of player safety. I have to be better there, and I learned a lesson. It is disappointing, but I will go away and do my time and do what is best for the team going forward.”