Match Review Committee Hands Down Multiple Round 7 Charges
Manaia Waitere, Hudson Young, Morgan Knowles, Kodi Nikorima and Thomas Gilbert have been charged by the NRL Match Review Committee following Friday night’s Round 7 matches in the 2026 NRL season.
Nikorima faces a suspension after a serious incident that left Panthers hooker Mitch Kenny with a suspected fractured leg, while multiple other charges were handed down across the night.
Match Review Committee Charges
| Player | Club | Incident | Grade | Early Plea | Panel Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manaia Waitere | Storm | Careless High Tackle on Noah Martin | Grade 1 | $1,800 | $2,500 |
| Hudson Young | Raiders | Careless High Tackle on Sualauvi Faalogo | Grade 2 | 2 matches | 3 matches |
| Morgan Knowles | Dolphins | Dangerous Contact on Moses Leota | Grade 1 | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| Kodi Nikorima | Dolphins | Dangerous Contact on Mitch Kenny | Grade 3 | 2 matches | 3 matches |
| Thomas Gilbert | Dolphins | Dangerous Contact on Thomas Jenkins | Grade 1 | $1,000 | $1,500 |
Players Charged in Round 7 (Friday)
- Manaia Waitere – Careless High Tackle (Grade 1)
- Hudson Young – Careless High Tackle (Grade 2)
- Morgan Knowles – Dangerous Contact (Grade 1)
- Kodi Nikorima – Dangerous Contact (Grade 3)
- Thomas Gilbert – Dangerous Contact (Grade 1)
Key Charge
Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins)
Nikorima faces the most serious sanction after being charged with Grade 3 Dangerous Contact following an incident involving Mitch Kenny in the 18th minute.
The tackle has drawn major concern after leaving Kenny with a suspected fractured leg.
- Early Plea: 2-match suspension
- If Guilty at Panel: 3-match suspension
Other Charges
Hudson Young (Raiders)
Young has been charged with a Grade 2 Careless High Tackle following contact involving Sualauvi Faalogo.
- Early Plea: 2-match suspension
- If Guilty at Panel: 3-match suspension
Manaia Waitere (Storm)
Waitere faces a Grade 1 Careless High Tackle charge after an incident involving Noah Martin.
- Early Plea: $1,800 fine
- If Guilty at Panel: $2,500 fine
Morgan Knowles (Dolphins)
Knowles has been charged with Grade 1 Dangerous Contact following contact involving Moses Leota.
- Early Plea: $1,000 fine
- If Guilty at Panel: $1,500 fine
Thomas Gilbert (Dolphins)
Gilbert has also been charged with Grade 1 Dangerous Contact, involving Thomas Jenkins.
- Early Plea: $1,000 fine
- If Guilty at Panel: $1,500 fine
What Happens Next
Players charged by the NRL Match Review Committee must decide whether to:
- Accept the early guilty plea, or
- Challenge the charge at the NRL Judiciary panel.
Any contested charges will be heard early next week.
