Three Super League players fined following weekend’s action

Round One of Super League is in the rear view mirror but with that comes the disciplinary side of the game.

Six Super League players were cited this weekend which saw the 2023 season kick-off in style.

Following an action-packed weekend of rugby league, albeit only five Super League games given St Helens were down under contesting the World Club Challenge, there have been five offences dealt with.

A further player has been handed a caution.

The list of players involved includes two current England internationals whilst two other men feature on the list for the second game running following offences in pre-season.

Morgan Smithies, Tom Amone and Jack Hughes have all received £250 fines, highlighting the way in which the new disciplinary process works.

Both Elliot Minchella and Andy Ackers got off without any punishment whilst Sui Matagi was cautioned.

Super League Round One disciplinary round-up:

Morgan Smithies (Wigan Warriors) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – £250 fine
Tom Amone (Leigh Leopards) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – £250 fine
Elliott Minchella (Hull KR) – Grade A Dangerous Contact – No further action
Jack Hughes (Leigh Leopards) – Grade A Dangerous Contact – £250 fine
Andy Ackers (Salford Red Devils) – Grade A Dangerous Contact – No further action

The following player was handed a caution:

Sui Matagi (Castleford Tigers) – Other Contrary Behaviour

Match Review Panel Minutes:

The Salford Red Devils and Leigh Leopards match was a game with plenty of incidents, the Match Review Panel having to assess nine seperate issues, two of which were dealt with courtesy of a fine in Amone and Hughes.

It was another busy week on the disciplinary front for prop Amone who found himself at the heart of the Josh McGuire ban controversy during pre-season, Amone avoiding the seven-game ban unlike his counterpart.

Even in this game where he copped just a £250 fine the big forward was cited for two other incidents, both shoulder charges, although he was deemed to be not guilty.

Another name that featured on the Match Review Panel’s sheet for a second consecutive game was Hull KR’s Elliot Minchella but once again he got off scot-free for his offence.

Both Smithies and Amone were shown yellow for their offences so it’s no surprise to see them charged, however the new disciplinary system promotes fines rather than bans, which the pair should be thankful for considering that a Grade B offence in 2022 was punishable by a one to two match ban.