Case Number:

ON/1214/19

Brayden Williame #4, Catalans

Competition:

Super League

Match:

Catalans v Warrington

Match Date:

2019-08-03

Incident:

Dangerous Throw in the 7th minute (Austin)

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Rule – 15.1(d)
Detail – Lifts player into dangerous position
Grade – B

Sanctions:

1 Match Penalty Notice

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty, but challenging the level of grading

Summary of CM's submissions on the Charge / evidence:

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 5th August 2019, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(d) during the above Match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in approximately the 7th of the above Match. In the Panel’s opinion you lifted your opponent (Austin) into a dangerous position. The Panel believed that your actions were unnecessary and had the potential to cause your opponent injury.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade B offence (Dangerous Throw - Lifting player into dangerous position). The normal suspension range for such offence is from a 1 – 2 match suspension.

Summary of Player's submissions on the Charge / evidence:

Player represented by Richard Cramer and Stuart Cummings with Head Coach Steve McNamara and the player via SKYPE.

It is accepted that the player does lift the opponent and place him in a dangerous position. First contact with the ground is the opponents arm then his shoulder and upper back. Player accepts his guilt.

He had no thought of lifting the opponent and the speed of the opponent assisted to the momentum. Other players were involved in the tackle and may have assisted in the lift. This offence should be towards the lower end of the grading.

There was no injury and no intent to injure. In support the player showed a similar lifting offence in the Salford versus Catalans where player Nakawabi lifts an opponent above the horizontal and where the players first contact with the ground was his head.

This was a similar offence and only received a Caution and no other sanction. In this instance it was a similar offence but the players contact with the ground was his arm and then shoulder.

Decision:

Guilty, but challenging the level of grading

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of Player's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

Player accepts his guilt-no intent to injure and no injury caused.

Aggravating Factors:

15.4.19 – Shoulder Charge (Grade B 1 match)

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal have carefully listened to the submissions made by the player and his representatives which have considerable merit.

The player has accepted he placed the opponent in a dangerous position, however, there was no intent to injure the opponent and there was no on-field taken by the official or injury caused to the opponent.

Having viewed the comparison clip provided by the player this Tribunal feel that this offence warrants been downgraded to a grade A offence and as such do not impose any suspension.