NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo used his power for the first time to ask the match-review committee to take a second look at Josh Reynolds’ swearing at referee Grant Atkins.
Reynolds yelled “bulls–t” at Atkins on Sunday as the Dragons and Bulldogs headed for the sheds at half-time.
Atkins was clearly frustrated and ordered Reynolds to walk away as he told Dogs skipper Reed Mahoney: “If this bloke speaks to me like this again, he’s going to the bin.”
The match review committee initially overlooked the Reynolds incident, only for Abdo to ask it to review the matter.
Abdo, ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys and the clubs all have the power to ask the match-review committee to take another look at any given matter.
Josh Reynolds is facing a $1000 for his verbal attack on Grant Atkins.Credit: Getty Images
The Newcastle Knights did so in round two when they highlighted a hip-drop tackle made by Wests Tigers backrower Isaiah Papali’i, which was originally excluded from the original charge sheet.
NRL head of elite competitions Graham Annesley confirmed on Monday that Abdo had asked the match-review committee to take a second look at the Reynolds incident and he was subsequently charged with grade-one dangerous contrary conduct, which will result in a $1000 fine with an early plea.
“There is a process under the judiciary rules that allows the board and CEO of a club or game to ask for the match review committee to further review an incident, so that is a normal part of our process and has been used in the past,” Annesley said.
“It comes down to making sure things don’t fall through the cracks. I don’t think anyone who has been on a rugby league field at NRL level would be able to say there hasn’t been swearing at times.
“It is up to match officials to determine if they find that offensive or not, and for the game to determine if it is appropriate. That will depend entirely on what is said in what context, and whether those principles apply or not.”
After the Dogs’ victory, Mahoney said of the 34-year-old Reynolds, who had started in the No.6 jersey for the first time since 2020: “We might have to have his mouth taped when he plays.
“He’s the ultimate competitor and he wears his heart on his sleeve. I wouldn’t [trade] him for anyone else.”
Reynolds was also charged with dangerous contact for a tackle on Tyrell Sloan, but again can escape with a $1000 fine with an early plea.
Brandon Smith was suspended for three matches last year after he called referee Adam Gee a “cheating bastard” while playing for the Melbourne Storm.
