Super League Disciplinary: Several sides facing worries over bans

Round Nine was a unique one from a Super League disciplinary point of view with no cards brandished to any players, however, a number of players will still be wary of a ban when this afternoon’s charges are confirmed.

The 2024 season has been one where cards and bans have been handed out aplenty with the opening two rounds of Super League being a major adjustment period to the new interpretations of laws surrounding tackle height.

Round one of the Super League disciplinary process saw a whopping 16 players charged but gradually the Match Review Panel have had less and less to do, to the point where only four charges were issued last week.

As for Round Nine, there will be a few men with concerns in spite of the fact the match officials managed to keep their cards in their pockets.

Super League Round Nine Round-Up

It was yet another brilliant round of action with all six games delivering on drama, not least the first game of the week when St Helens edged Huddersfield with an 80th minutes drop goal.

The Giants were left devastated when Jonny Lomax split the uprights with just over 30 seconds to go to send St Helens top of the table.

Friday then saw both Catalans and Wigan fail to respond with last year’s Grand Finalists both losing. Les Dracs were played off the park by Leigh Leopards who won 30-2 to kickstart their season, whilst Wigan were caught out by a very impressive Hull KR side who ran in five tries to win 26-10.

The other game that evening saw LOndon’s miserable season continue as Castleford Tigers picked up their second victory with a 40-0 win at The Jungle.

Saturday saw Warrington fail to capitalise on Wigan and Catalans’ slip-ups with Paul Rowley rounding off his rollercoaster week with two points, his Red Devils winning 17-12 courtesy of a late penalty try.

Hull FC’s losing run continued on Sunday but they did manage to snap their streak of 50-plus point defeats and keep 13 men on the field as Super League’s most undisciplined side lost 18-12 against Leeds Rhinos.

Super League Disciplinary: Who should be worried about a ban?

With no cards brandished, who will be fearing the findings of the Super League disciplinary process?

One man who was potentially lucky to escape a card was Warrington’s Danny Walker for his tackle of Ryan Brierley off the ball that saw a penalty try awarded. The Wire hooker could face punishment for ‘Dangerous Contact’ potentially.

Another man in that game whose actions saw the crowd call for a card was Tim Lafai with the centre simply getting his tackle technique wrong and catching Warrington’s winger around the neck with his swinging arm.

That fixture also saw the unfortunate injury to Leon Hayes who was stretchered off with an ankle injury and whilst no replays of the incident were shown, there is a possibility that the tacklers could face punishment. Only a couple of weeks back Castleford Tigers’ Sylvester Namo was handed a hefty ban for ‘Dangerous Contact’ with the severity of injury sustained by Willie Isa a leading factor in the ban.

Isa’s side Wigan could have some concerns after a scuffle occurred late on in the loss to Hull KR with Tyler Dupree getting involved and being engaged by KR’s Matt Parcell who looked to swing his arm. No cards were issued but both sides will be waiting patiently to find out if the Super League disciplinary process rules against them.