The match review panel had one of their busiest weeks in quite some time following the last game weekend, with no less than eleven players being hit with bans across the Super League, Championship, and League One.

Before we start on this week’s cases however, there is an update on the case of Alistair Leak, the Batley Bulldogs hooker who was facing a lengthy ban after being charged with a Grade F Unnecessary Contact charge. The Operational Rules Tribunal (ORT) downgraded the charge to a Grade E following a challenge from Batley, and he has been issued with a four-match suspension and a £375 fine.

Moving on to this past weeks fixtures then, and the Catalans Dragons had the biggest number of charges against their players, with three of their players facing the MRP. Of those three, two players were slapped with bans, as Michael McIlorum received a 1 match penalty notice for a Grade B Dangerous Contact charge, and Arthur Romano also was hit with a one match ban for the same charge. However, his ban was increased to two games following what was deemed to be an ‘unreasonable’ appeal by the ORT.

There were three more bans across the Super League from this past weekend, firstly, London Broncos’ Emanuel Waine was given a one match penalty notice for a Grade C Dangerous Contact Charge, meaning he will miss the Broncos trip to Leeds next weekend. Elliot Wallis of the Huddersfield Giants also received a one match ban for the same charge as Emanuel Waine. Finally from the Super League, Sione Matautia was hit with a one match penalty notice for a Grade B Head Contact charge. Whether or not these two will miss any first-grade action, or will serve their ban in a reserve game, remains to be seen.

Matt Fleming of the Widnes Vikings is set to miss their next game after receiving a one match ban for a Grade C Dangerous Contact charge. His ban is one of five from the Championship this past week. Alex Foster from the Sheffield Eagles (the Vikings opponents last week) will sit out two games after also being charged with a Grade C Dangerous Contact offense.

Perhaps the biggest ban of the week could go to Bradford Bulls’ Fenton Rogers. He has been charged with Grade F Unacceptable Language, and has been referred to a tribunal. If this charge is not downgraded or dismissed, he faces a minimum of a six match ban. We will bring further updates in next week’s round-up.

Rounding out the charges from the Championship are a duo of Dewsbury Rams players. Keiran Rush has been given a one match ban after being charged with a Grade C Disputes Decision charge, and his teammate Calum Turner will join him on the side lines after receiving the same punishment for the same charge.

Finally for this weeks round-up of suspensions we come to League One, which saw two players banned. Firstly is Hunslet’s Matthew Fletcher, who has been hit with a two match ban for a Grade D Punching charge. Cornwall’s Matt Ross will also miss some game time, as he has been suspended for one match following a Grade C Dangerous contact charge.

The following players received fines:

Lachlan Lam (Leigh Leopards) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – £250 Fine

Franck Maria (Catalans Dragons) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – £250 Fine

Alfie Horwell (Castleford Tigers Academy) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – £25 Fine

Written by Nathan Major-Kershaw (Site editor & Hull KR fan)

Sources: https://www.rugby-league.com/article/62881/disciplinary-%7C-match-review-panel, https://www.rugby-league.com/article/62892/disciplinary-%7C-operational-rules-tribunal, https://www.rugby-league.com/article/62899/disciplinary-%7C-match-review-panel