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UPDATE: League greats Brad Fittler and Billy Slater have ruled Dolphins star Jarrod Wallace hard done by after he was dealt a three-game ban by the NRL judiciary.
Wallace and teammate Anthony Milford were both hit with three-match bans for separate incidents from Saturday’s loss to the Warriors.
Milford was charged with grade two dangerous contact for a late hit on Marcelo Montoya that resulted in him being sent to the sin bin, while Wallace was dealt a grade two shoulder charge on Rocco Berry.
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Both men could face four-match suspensions if they decide to fight the charge and are guilty at the panel.
Both Fittler and Slater expressed sympathy towards Wallace, saying there was little the 31-year-old could do in what wound up being an unfortunate clash.
“I was a bit surprised with the Wallace one,” Fittler told Nine’s NRL Sunday Footy Show.
“There was plenty of players in the tackle, and he didn’t make contact, it was a head collision, not a shoulder collision, so I was surprised at that.”
“When those forwards are making dual contact and sometimes there’s three in the tackle and they’re in close proximity, it’s near-impossible to wrap your arm around,” Slater added.
“You either try and get your arm in between your teammate and the guy who’s running the ball, and you can jam it up, or you try and go around.
“It’s a really tough one. Obviously it was unfortunate that there was a head collision and the player who was running the football didn’t end up in a great way, but I think he’s pretty hard done by.”
The pair of suspensions could have a major impact on the Dolphins finals chances in their debut season, with Wayne Bennett’s side currently in eight position on the NRL ladder.
A four-match ban would see both Milford and Wallace sidelined for crucial clashes against the Sea Eagles, Eels, Broncos and Titans.
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Titans hooker Chris Randall will also be banned for one match for a grade two dangerous contact charge on Jai Arrow. He’ll be banned for two if he fights and is found guilty at the panel.
Cronulla Sharks forward Braden Hamlin-Uele has escaped a ban for his crusher tackle on Billy Walters and will be fined $3,000 if he accepts an early guilty plea. He could face a two match ban if he appeals and is found guilty.
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