The NRL Match Review Committee has handed down its first charge of Round 5 in the 2026 NRL season, with Dolphins forward Connelly Lemuelu cited following Thursday night’s opening match.
Lemuelu was the only player charged from the round opener, with the incident occurring in the second half and involving a careless high tackle on Manly Sea Eagles fullback Tom Trbojevic.
Match Review Committee Charges
| Player | Club | Incident | Grade | Early Plea | Panel Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connelly Lemuelu | Dolphins | Careless High Tackle on Tom Trbojevic | Grade 1 | $1,000 | $1,500 |
Players Charged in Round 5 (Thursday)
- Connelly Lemuelu – Careless High Tackle (Grade 1)
Charge Breakdown
Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins)
Lemuelu has been charged with a Grade 1 Careless High Tackle following an incident involving Tom Trbojevic in the 41st minute of Thursday night’s match.
Penalty Options:
- Early Guilty Plea: $1,000 fine
- If Found Guilty at Panel: $1,500 fine
No suspension is attached to the charge.
What Happens Next
The Dolphins forward must decide whether to:
- Accept the early guilty plea, or
- Challenge the charge at the NRL Judiciary panel.
Any contested matters would be heard early next week. Further charges may still be issued following the remaining Round 5 fixtures.
