Tiger faces long suspension - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Tiger faces long suspension

By Brent Read 24/03/2003 08:32:23 PM Comments (0)

NRL judiciary commissioner Jim Hall is likely to push for a Tim Maddison-like suspension against Luke O'Donnell after the Wests forward was hit with a striking charge considered too severe for the grading scale.

O'Donnell was charged on video evidence after a clash which left Canberra's Michael Monaghan sporting a double fracture of his jaw on Saturday night.

Hall called on extra footage from Fox Sports and used digital technology to enhance the incident before charging the 22-year-old and referring the matter straight to the judiciary.

The commissioner is likely to use the technology again on Wednesday night to strengthen his case against O'Donnell, where it's almost certain Monaghan's injury will be taken into consideration if a penalty is meted out.

League rules state when deciding on the seriousness of the grading, the judiciary can take into account "whether an opposition player was injured in the incident giving rise to the charge".

That spells trouble for O'Donnell, with Monaghan suffering an injury described by Canberra medical staff as the worst jaw break they had seen in 20 years.

The 22-year-old underwent an operation at Baulkham Hills Private Hospital and will undergo further surgery next week.

He's expected to be sidelined for up to three months.

"I just don't think it's a rugby league issue," Canberra coach Matthew Elliott said.

"When a guy releases the football and he's not looking and he gets hit by an elbow, I don't see that as football.

"I think it's one guy making a really, really poor decision. That's what it was. It was his decision to attack somebody in that manner.

"I don't know the guy but I'm disappointed."

Maddison was handed a ten week suspension by the judiciary last season after being slapped with an ungraded striking charge by Hall.

It's likely Hall will push for a similarly stiff penalty against O'Donnell in light of the severity of Monaghan's injury.

The incident occurred in the 58th minute of Saturday night's game at Leichhardt Oval, won 15-8 by the Raiders.

Tigers chief executive Steve Noyce, who looked at footage of the incident with other Tigers officials, defended O'Donnell.

The versatile forward, who was dogged by injuries last season, trained with his teammates.

"He certainly doesn't go out to do anything to players," Noyce said.

O'Donnell's teammate Corey Pearson was also charged - with a grade three careless high tackle following an incident involving Canberra prop Luke Davico.

He could face a one week ban if he enters an early guilty plea and two weeks if he appears at the judiciary and loses.

Sydney Roosters forward Michael Crocker entered an early guilty plea to a grade one striking charge and will miss the club's clash with Penrith this weekend.

Crocker was charged after he dropped an elbow on Newcastle captain Andrew Johns in the 48th minute of Friday night's game.

Parramatta forward Steve Crouch was charged with two offences - a grade one dangerous throw and a grade two careless high tackle.

St George Illawarra winger Hassan Saleh was also charged with a grade one dangerous throw, meaning he could face one week on the sideline.

Meanwhile, there was good news on the injury front for the Melbourne Storm, but not for South Sydney.

Storm prop Rodney Howe will undergo an arthroscope but has been cleared of a serious knee injury.

The Victorian club has been struggling with injuries since the start of the season, but the tide may have turned.

Fullback Robbie Ross (hip flexor), centre Aaron Moule (groin), utility player Andrew McFadden (groin) and five-eighth Scott Hill (shoulder) could all be back for the club's round four clash against the Knights.

Rabbitohs centre Chris Walker wasn't as fortunate.

He will be out for a month after fracturing a bone in his arm during the heart-breaking loss to Brisbane.

Walker damaged the radius in his left arm attempting to make a try-saving tackle on Brisbane utility Casey McGuire in the 51st minute of the thriller at Aussie Stadium, won 22-20 by the Broncos.

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