Canterbury’s Josh Reynolds will miss three NRL matches following his Brisbane brain-snap last Friday after pleading guilty to a grade-one dangerous contact charge and a grade-two tripping offence.
Reynolds was banned for one game for kicking Sam Thaiday in the head during the Bulldogs’ 41-10 loss to the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium and a further two for tripping former teammate Ben Barba.
He will return to action for the final round of the regular season against Gold Coast and teammate Josh Morris said the NSW five-eighth would be sorely missed.
“He’s the type of player you want in your side,” Morris said.
“He competes in every play and, sometimes, he gets on the wrong side.
“He is the ultimate competitor and, these days in rugby league, if your timing is off then it can make a whole lot of difference to where your body lands up.”
South Sydney’s George Burgess has accepted a two-match ban after pleading guilty to a “chicken wing” tackle on Manly’s Steve Matai last Friday.
The English prop will miss the Rabbitohs’ clashes with the Broncos and North Queensland after taking the early plea despite coach Michael Maguire indicating on Tuesday the Rabbitohs were considering fighting the charge.
However, the club opted against it after deciding the threat of losing Burgess for three games if he lost was too great.
Burgess’ teammate Issac Luke also pleaded guilty to a grade-one dangerous contact charge, but will be free to face Brisbane on Thursday.
Cronulla prop Sam Tagataese’s season is over after accepting a four-game suspension for a grade-three dangerous throw on Warriors centre Dane Nielsen.
Parramatta, Manly and the Cowboys have a booked a date with the NRL judiciary on Wednesday night.
The Eels’ Junior Paulo pleaded guilty to a dangerous throw charge, but will contest the level-two grading and, if unsuccessful, he risks at least a three-week suspension.
Cowboys forward Tariq Sims has also opted to challenge his grade-one dangerous contact charge.
Sims has entered a not guilty plea to the tackle on the Wests Tigers’ Tim Simona in Saturday’s 64-6 thrashing.
Sea Eagles prop Josh Starling was also hit with two charges and won’t miss a game after pleading guilty to unnecessary pressure to the face of Souths’s Dave Tyrell.
However, he is fighting a grade-one dangerous contact offence against former teammate Luke Keary.
St George Illawarra’s Dan Hunt and Melbourne’s Tim Glasby have both taken early guilty pleas and will be free to play this weekend.
The pair were both hit with grade-one high-tackle charges.
