Six players charged with the same offence, one banned and five fined – here’s why

Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos, Castleford Tigers, Wakefield Trinity and Huddersfield Giants stars have all landed in hot water with the match review panel this week after Round 19 of the Betfred Super League.

Fortunately for Wigan ahead of their Challenge Cup semi-final against Hull KR on Sunday at Headingley, though they had three players charged, all three were only fined by the match review panel.

That was the general theme this week as seven of the eight players were fined. A recurring theme also re-emerged this week with six of the eight players being charged for Dangerous Contact.

The following players were charged for dangerous contact with a brbeak down of their offence:

Liam Hood – Grade B – One Match Ban

Dangerous Contact – A defending player makes contact with an opponent after the ball has
been released by an opponent in a vulnerable position which causes flexion to the head,
neck or spinal column on an attacking player, which poses an unacceptable risk of injury to
that player.

Adam Milner – Grade A – £250 Fine

Dangerous Contact – A defending player makes contact with an opponent after the ball has
been released by an opponent in a vulnerable position which causes flexion to the head,
neck or spinal column on an attacking player, which poses an unacceptable risk of injury to
that player.

Kaide Ellis – Grade A – £250 Fine

Dangerous Contact – A defending player makes contact with an opponent after the ball has
been released by an opponent in a vulnerable position which causes flexion to the head,
neck or spinal column on an attacking player, which poses an unacceptable risk of injury to
that player.

Harvie Hill – Grade B – £250 Fine

Dangerous Contact – Defender uses any part of their body forcefully to twist, bend or
otherwise apply pressure to the limb or limbs of an opposing player in a way that involves
an unacceptable risk of injury to that player.

James Bentley – Grade A – £250 Fine

Dangerous Contact – A defending player makes contact with an opponent after the ball has
been released by an opponent in a vulnerable position which causes flexion to the head,
neck or spinal column on an attacking player, which poses an unacceptable risk of injury to
that player.

Alex Mellor – Grade B – £250 Fine

Dangerous Contact – A defending player makes contact with an opponent after the ball has
been released by an opponent in a vulnerable position which causes flexion to the head,
neck or spinal column on an attacking player, which poses an unacceptable risk of injury to
that player.

As per usual, the vast majority are for late hits posing a danger to the neck and spine of the passer.

Harvie Hill is the only example where there is a danger to the limbs of an opponent.

Hill, Mellor and Hood were all charged with Grade B offences with Mellor and Hood’s offences the exact same.

Thus you may question why Hood was banned and the others, especially Mellor, weren’t.

It is likely because Hood was suspended earlier this season and thus his previous record is working against him.