Klemmer faces NRL ban over torpedo tackle

David Klemmer is set to sit out Canterbury’s opening fortnight of the new NRL season after being hit with a dangerous contact charge.

Klemmer was slapped on Monday with a grade-two dangerous contact charge by match review officials for a “torpedo tackle” on Melbourne’s Jesse Bromwich in the Bulldogs’ 20-0 trial win at Belmore Sportsground on Saturday.

The NSW representative dived low at Bromwich’s legs after he had passed the ball, sparking a second half melee at the iconic ground.

The tackle was not dissimilar to the cannonball tackle the NRL have moved to outlaw in recent years, except Bromwich was not being held by other defenders at the time.

The incident will earn Klemmer 262 penalty points, with each 100 points equalling a one-match suspension, if he takes the early plea before midday on Tuesday.

He will attract 350 points if he fights the charge and loses.

The incident has been given 20 per cent loading due to Klemmer’s poor recent judiciary record, which includes a charge of contrary conduct emanating from the `Bad Friday’ drama against South Sydney last year.

A two match ban would rule Klemmer out of games against Manly and Penrith.

Gold Coast’s Zeb Taia has copped a grade one dangerous throw charge from the final weekend of trials for a tackle on South Sydney captain Greg Inglis.

However, Taia will be free to play in the Titans’ season opener if he takes an early guilty plea.

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