NRL Judiciary Round 27 (Saturday): Eight players have been charged following Saturday’s matches, with Sharks forward Michael Gabrael facing the most serious sanction after being cited with a Grade 3 offence.
The Match Review Committee reviewed incidents from Saturday’s Round 27 fixtures, issuing charges to players from the Sea Eagles, Cowboys, Raiders, Sharks and Storm.
The Sharks accounted for three of the eight charges issued, while both Michael Gabrael and Reuben Cotter are facing suspensions heading into the final rounds of the season.
NRL Judiciary Round 27 Saturday Charges
Match Review Committee Charges
| Player | Club | Incident | Grade | Early Plea | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Trbojevic | Sea Eagles | Dangerous Contact | Grade 1 | $1,000 fine | $1,500 fine |
| Reuben Cotter | Cowboys | Careless High Tackle | Grade 2 | 1 match suspension | 2 matches |
| Noah Martin | Raiders | Dangerous Contact | Grade 1 | $1,000 fine | $1,500 fine |
| Matty Nicholson | Raiders | Dangerous Contact | Grade 1 | $1,000 fine | $1,500 fine |
| Michael Gabrael | Sharks | Careless High Tackle | Grade 3 | 2 matches | 3 matches |
| Ronaldo Mulitalo | Sharks | Contrary Conduct | Grade 1 | $1,000 fine | $1,500 fine |
| Josh King | Storm | Crusher Tackle | Grade 1 | $3,000 fine | 2 matches |
| Addin Fonua-Blake | Sharks | Dangerous Contact | Grade 1 | $1,800 fine | $2,500 fine |
Players Facing Suspension
- Michael Gabrael (Sharks) – 2 match suspension (3 matches if found guilty at panel).
- Reuben Cotter (Cowboys) – 1 match suspension (2 matches if found guilty at panel).
- Josh King (Storm) – 2 match suspension if found guilty at panel.
Key Takeaways
- Eight players were charged from Saturday’s Round 27 matches
- Three players are facing suspension
- Michael Gabrael received the most serious charge with a Grade 3 careless high tackle
- The Sharks accounted for three of the eight charges issued
Michael Gabrael Charge Details
Gabrael was charged with a Grade 3 careless high tackle following an incident in the 5th minute involving Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown.
The Sharks forward received the most serious charge handed down by the Match Review Committee on Saturday and is facing suspension regardless of whether he accepts an early guilty plea.
Early Plea: 2 match suspension
If Found Guilty at Panel: 3 match suspension
Other Charges
- Reuben Cotter: Grade 2 careless high tackle (1st minute vs Josh Papalii) – 1 match suspension with an early plea or 2 matches if found guilty at panel.
- Josh King: Grade 1 crusher tackle (23rd minute vs Toby Rudolf) – $3,000 early plea fine or 2 match suspension if found guilty at panel due to a second offence record.
- Ben Trbojevic: Grade 1 dangerous contact (26th minute vs Sam Healey) – $1,000 early plea fine ($1,500 panel).
- Noah Martin: Grade 1 dangerous contact (5th minute vs Scott Drinkwater) – $1,000 early plea fine ($1,500 panel).
- Matty Nicholson: Grade 1 dangerous contact (19th minute vs Reed Mahoney) – $1,000 early plea fine ($1,500 panel).
- Ronaldo Mulitalo: Grade 1 contrary conduct (10th minute vs Harry Grant) – $1,000 early plea fine ($1,500 panel).
- Addin Fonua-Blake: Grade 1 dangerous contact (69th minute vs Cooper Clarke) – $1,800 early plea fine ($2,500 panel) as a second offence.
What Happens Next
Players charged by the NRL Match Review Committee will now decide whether to:
- accept the early guilty plea and associated penalty, or
- challenge the charge at the NRL Judiciary panel.
Any hearings will take place ahead of Round 28, with Gabrael facing the most significant sanction of the group after being charged with a Grade 3 offence.
