Bulldogs recruit Sitili Tupouniua is facing a two-week ban for a late shot on full-time in Canterbury’s upset win over Cronulla, but Reed Mahoney is free to play after being cited twice as the NRL issued more than $14,000 in fines on Sunday.
Mahoney’s high tackle on Toby Rudolf and heavy contact on Daniel Atkinson when was lying on the ground were flashpoints in the Bulldogs fiery 20-6 defeat of the Sharks on Saturday night, with the Canterbury hooker served two $1800 fines by the match review committee.
Tupouniua’s late hit on Brayden Trindall saw tensions boil over once more in what should have been the final play of the game.
The Tongan international was sin-binned as the siren sounded and will now miss Canterbury’s round five clash against Newcastle unless he successfully challenges a grade 2 dangerous contact charge at the judiciary. Tupouniua would risk an extra game’s suspension if he fights the charge and loses.
Dragons prop Emre Guler is facing three weeks on the sidelines for his crusher tackle on Melbourne’s Shawn Blore on Saturday afternoon. Guler’s punishment has been increased because of his poor judiciary record, with this his third similar offence.
Canberra veteran Josh Papali’i was the hardest hit of six players issued fines from Saturday’s games, with Papali’i facing $6000 from two separate punishments for his high tackle on North Queensland’s Sam McIntyre. Papali’i was fined $3000 for the tackle and would be suspended for two games if he were to challenge the ruling at the judiciary and lose.
He was issued another $3000 fine for patting referee Adam Gee on the chest after he was put on report for the tackle.
Along with Mahoney and Papali’i, Jeremiah Nanai, Corey Horsburgh were also issued $1000-$1500 fines, while Cronulla’s Sam Stonestreet is facing a $1500-$2000 punishment for a crusher tackle on Bronson Xerri. Rudolf was also charged for a hip-drop tackle on Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton, which earned him an $1800 fine.
