NRL warns Evans over shoulder charge

The NRL has fired off a warning letter to Kane Evans over his shoulder charge on Canterbury’s Sam Kasiano, but the Sydney Roosters prop won’t be charged over the controversial tackle.

Evans escaped NRL match review committee charges on Monday over the monster hit on Kasiano in the Roosters’ dramatic round 21 win over the Bulldogs on Friday.

However, the NRL has put the interchange forward on notice, warning Evans about the dangers of the tackle.

Evans felled Kasiano with a shoulder charge late in the first half at Allianz Stadium.

He was penalised and put on report by referee Matt Cecchin.

An NRL spokesman said because there was no head or neck contact and no whiplash effect on Kasiano, the on-field penalty and warning notice was enough punishment.

Canberra three-quarter Edrick Lee wasn’t as lucky as Evans.

Lee has already taken the early guilty plea on a grade two tripping charge on North Queensland’s Justin O’Neill and will miss the Raiders clash with Gold Coast.

Bulldogs forward Greg Eastwood also faces one match on the sidelines for a tackle on Roosters captain Mitchell Pearce.

The grade one dangerous contact charge doesn’t warrant a one-match suspension with an early plea.

But Eastwood’s carryover points will push him over the 100-point, one-game threshold if he takes the early plea or fights the charge and loses.

That will sideline him for Canterbury’s clash with Brisbane on Friday.

Tigers prop Keith Galloway and St George Illawarra forward Leeson Ah Mau were also charged following round 21 incidents.

They can escape a suspension if they take an early guilty plea.

Raiders pivot Blake Austin has taken the early plea on his grade one dangerous throw charge, but is available to play against the Titans.

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