York Knights will have star man Cody Hunter available for Thursday night’s Super League clash against Hull FC with head coach Mark Applegarth confirming that the Australian has avoided a ban.
Hunter ran the show as York defeated Huddersfield at Magic Weekend with the playmaker scoring two tries but there were fears that he might be banned after a hip drop-style tackle on Asher O’Donnell, that left the Giants forward injured.
Huddersfield boss Jim Lenihan took issue with the tackle, which was not penalised at the time, and Applegarth has now confirmed that Hunter has been charged but ultimately has avoided a ban.
We’ve got a phone call this morning, so Cody got five points so he won’t get a ban,” Applegarth revealed when speaking at his weekly presser.
On Lenihan’s comments, he accepted: “I understand what Jim’s saying but at the same time, it’s not like Cody’s intentionally gone into a hit-drop. The only other option Cody could have done there is allow a player to score a try. I think his momentum just took him round.
“We’ll take that one on the chin but again, I don’t think there’s much Cody could have done.”
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York Knights boss talks Xavier Va’a on report incident
Another disciplinary incident in that game was Xavier Va’a being placed on report for his carry that saw tackler Chris Patolo fail a HIA, something that Applegarth has questioned.
“I’m not sure what else Xavier could do if I’m honest with you, apart from not running to him,” the York Knights boss said.
“It was an unfortunate incident. We never want to see anyone get injured on the field. Thankfully, he managed to get up and walk away but I think it was just two tough players going at each other and Xavier managed to get one up there.
“I don’t think there were any foul play in it whatsoever. I think it was just a hard collision. I’d be very concerned if we’re getting any more off that, because I don’t see what the issue will be there, apart from two tough players going at each other.”
There had been some concerns that Va’a could even be charged for making contact with Patolo after the injury with the York man appearing to reach out and touch the prone Huddersfield man, however, Applegarth did not confirm any charge so it’s thought that Va’a will avoid a ban.
The full list of disciplinary charges from the Match Review Panel will come out later this afternoon with more details offered on Hunter’s five-point charge.
