Mitch Kenny Hit with Ban as NRL Match Review Committee Hands Down Sanctions
Penrith hooker Mitch Kenny has been suspended for 2-3 matches following a charge for dangerous contact on Roosters forward Nat Butcher. The incident occurred in the fourth minute when Kenny executed a hip-drop tackle that injured Butcher’s knee, forcing him from the field and drawing sharp criticism from Roosters coach Trent Robinson and captain James Tedesco.
“It was really disappointing—nothing was said,” Robinson said. Tedesco echoed the frustration, adding, “There’s no confusion. I’m not sure if the Bunker or refs looked at it, but it wasn’t addressed at all.”
Elsewhere, Broncos hooker Billy Walters was handed a $1000-$1500 fine for a crusher tackle in their loss to the Warriors, while Roosters prop Naufahu Whyte faces a similar penalty for a high tackle on Panthers prop Lindsay Smith.
Four additional players received fines following Sunday’s matches. Sharks pair Teig Wilton and Cameron McInnes were cited for dangerous contact, while Knights winger James Schiller and Titans forward Klese Haase were penalized for careless high tackles.
Sea Eagles prop Toafofoa Sipley could be staring down a lengthy suspension after being referred directly to the judiciary for a hip-drop tackle on Dragons winger Mat Feagai. Sipley was sin-binned for the incident, and Feagai was later ruled out of the game with a suspected serious leg injury requiring scans.
Sea Eagles skipper Daly Cherry-Evans defended his teammate, suggesting Sipley “might have been concussed and lost his legs” in the tackle. “It looked accidental to me,” he said.
Manly’s night worsened with injuries to Nathan Brown (shoulder), Jake Trbojevic (concussion), and Tommy Talau (leg), all of whom are expected to miss next week’s clash with Penrith. Hooker Lachlan Croker will also be sidelined for a month following knee surgery.
After a strong start to the season, the Sea Eagles have now dropped three straight games, slipping out of the top eight. Coach Anthony Seibold did confirm, however, that star fullback Tom Trbojevic is on track to return for Saturday’s showdown against the Panthers at CommBank Stadium.
Meanwhile, Storm duo Tui Kamikamica and Ryan Papenhuyzen, Bulldogs forward Viliame Kikau, and Souths prop Davvy Moale were all charged following Good Friday games, but none will face suspension. Kikau and Kamikamica were fined $1800-$2500 for careless high tackles, while Moale and Papenhuyzen received $1000-$1500 fines for dangerous contact.
