Super League ban confirmed despite appeal after player was stretchered off

Salford Red Devils have learned the result of their appeal against Joe Shorrocks’ two-game Super League ban for a tackle on Leeds Rhinos’ Brodie Croft.

Shorrocks became the first Super League player to be banned under the new system when he was handed a Grade D charge, worth 12 points, with an additional 3 points tacked on as the tackle resulted in Croft’s injury.

Croft was stretchered from the field after a lengthy delay with the medical team ensuring the Leeds Rhinos player’s safety following the tackle, in which his head and Shorrocks’ arm made contact.

Shorrocks was shown a sin bin at the time with the referee explaining that the mitigation of Croft rapidly losing height meant that it was not a red card.

Salford made the decision to contest the charge, naming Shorrocks in their 21-man squad to face Hull KR, and heading to an Operational Rules Tribunal to appeal.

Assistant coach Krisnan Inu told Serious About Rugby League: “I think if it was me in that tackle, I don’t know why I’d get done.

“It was a straight arm and I know there was an accident that came from it but I don’t think there was any ill-intent.

“He (Brodie Croft) was just unlucky enough that he fell into Joe’s arms when he was on the way down and Joe was obviously bracing himself for a tackle.”

Inu even claimed that secondary tackler Jack Ormondroyd was the man to make contact with Croft’s head, stating: “I don’t think there way any malice in it. I think if you actually watch the video properly, it’s actually Jack Ormondroyd who knocks him out because he headbutted him from the back.”

Salford confirmed the result of the appeal in a statement on their official website: “Following today’s independent Operational Rules Tribunal, Joe Shorrocks original two-match ban has been upgraded to a three-match suspension.

“The loose-forward was charged with Grade D ‘Head Contact’ following a collision with Leeds Rhinos’ Brodie Croft, incurring 15 penalty points as a result.

“Croft was forced to leave the field and subsequently failed his HIA, meaning Shorrocks receives three additional points on top of the usual 12-point penalty for a Grade D offence.

“The RFL appeal panel advised the contact was forceful and dangerous, and as the Club was unable to provide medical evidence that it was Jack Ormondroyd who caused Croft to leave the field, and not Shorrocks, they are upholding the 15-point penalty, two-match ban and £500 fine.

“An unsuccessful challenge results in an additional five penalty points on the player’s record, taking his total to 20.”