Why Super League match was cited NINE times by match review panel but no bans were given out

The match between Salford Red Devils and Leigh Leopards was a game with plenty of incidents with the Match Review Panel having to assess nine separate issues, two of which were dealt with courtesy of a fine in the cases of Leigh duo Tom Amone and Jack 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 after both were initially charged with Grade F unacceptable language but Amone, unlike McGuire, was found not guilty.

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 of anything deserving of a charge.

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.

Unlike Morgan Smithies and Amone who 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.

This is why you can see a game like Salford vs Leigh get cited nine times by the Match Review Panel only for no ban to be handed out.