Roosters Forward Nat Butcher Charged for High Tackle, Faces Fine
Sydney Roosters forward Nat Butcher has been charged by the NRL’s match review committee following a careless high tackle incident during Thursday night’s match against the Penrith Panthers.
Butcher’s tackle on Penrith Panthers’ forward Matthew Eisenhuth in the second half resulted in him being placed on report for slipping high. The match review committee opted for a Grade 1 careless high tackle charge against Butcher, making him eligible for a fine.
As it’s Butcher’s first offense within the rolling 12-month period, he could pay a fine of $1000 with an early guilty plea or $1500 if he challenges the decision at the judiciary, potentially scheduled for Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, Penrith forward Luke Garner, despite not being placed on report, was penalized for a crusher tackle during the 23rd minute of the match. However, he escaped charges from the match review committee.
Butcher now has until Saturday at midday (AEDT) to decide whether to accept the early guilty plea or contest the charge at the judiciary.
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“Annesley Concedes Bunker Error: Wrong Call Made on Obstruction”
“NRL’s Graham Annesley Acknowledges Bunker Error in Overturned Roosters Try”
Graham Annesley, the NRL’s head of football, has admitted that the decision to disallow a try for the Sydney Roosters during Thursday’s match was incorrect.
The incident occurred in the first half when Joseph Manu appeared to score the Roosters’ first try, following a fast start by the Panthers with two early tries. However, the bunker intervened and overturned the on-field decision due to an obstruction.
The obstruction was attributed to Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who was running as a decoy and was deemed to have impeded Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards in his attempt to make a covering tackle.
Annesley, speaking to News Corp on Friday, promptly acknowledged the mistake, stating that the decision lacked the usual criteria for obstruction rulings. He highlighted that the try would likely have been scored regardless, and the on-field decision should not have been overturned.
The obstruction rule has been a source of inconsistency in the NRL, with Annesley’s admission adding to the ongoing debate surrounding its interpretation.
Roosters’ coach Trent Robinson expressed his frustration with the inconsistency in decisions, particularly comparing it to an earlier try awarded to Sunia Turuva despite interference. Despite his dissatisfaction, Annesley had previously supported Turuva’s try being awarded.
The match ended with a 22-16 victory for the Panthers, with the disputed decisions serving as talking points from the game.
