NRL Judiciary Round 1: Sharks veteran Wade Graham suspended for four games

Tom Naghten

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Liam O'Loughlin

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Mark Molyneux

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NRL Judiciary Round 1: Sharks veteran Wade Graham suspended for four games image

Sharks veteran Wade Graham has been suspended for four matches, after his attempt to downgrade a grade one reckless high tackle charge at the judiciary was unsuccessful on Tuesday night. 

Graham was facing three weeks with an early plea for a high shot on Davvy Moale in the opening round, but will now miss the next month of footy. 

Wade Graham unsuccessful at judiciary, banned for four games

Graham was facing a three-match ban with the early plea but will now be suspended for four games after his appeal for a downgrade was unsuccessful at the panel.  

The 32-year-old was looking to have a reckless charge downgraded to careless for a massive hit on Moale, but came up short despite employing senior lawyer Nick Ghabar. 

Jordan Rapana suspended for three matches for shoulder charge

Jordan Rapana has become a victim of his past, with two prior charges catching up to the Raiders winger following his shot on Scott Drinkwater in the first half of the Cowboys' one-point win over Canberra.

The Kiwi was hit with a Grade 1 shoulder charge and will now miss three matches. 

Three other players were charged from Saturday's fixtures although all of them avoided suspensions. 

Briton Nikora was cited for his shoulder charge on Cam Murray, while Kyle Feldt and Braden Hamlin-Uele will be slightly lighter in the pocket.

Earlier in the round, Eliesa Katoa and Adam Elliott were also hit with financial penalties following dangerous contact charges on their competitive debuts with Melbourne and Newcastle respectively.

ROUND ONE JUDICIARY CHARGES

Player Charge Punishment
Eliesa Katoa Dangerous contact - Grade 1 $1000 fine
Adam Elliott Dangerous contact - Grade 1 $1000 fine
Jordan Rapana Shoulder charge - Grade 1 3 matches
Kyle Feldt Careless high tackle - Grade 1 $1800 fine
Briton Nikora Shoulder charge - Grade 1 $3000 fine
Braden Hamlin-Uele Careless high tackle - Grade 1 $1800 fine
Egan Butcher Reckless high tackle - Grade 1 $1800 fine
Wade Graham Dangerous contact - Grade 1 *Plea- Not Guilty

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Tom Naghten

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Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.

Liam O'Loughlin

Liam O'Loughlin Photo

Liam has been with The Sporting News since 2019, helping lead both NRL and cricket content, as well as delving into the world of combat sports and NFL. A true rugby league tragic, he has spent the past 20 years playing, coaching and volunteering for his beloved junior club, Penshurst RSL. 

Away from work, Liam has a lifelong passion for all things pro wrestling and has travelled abroad to attend showcase events for WWE, AEW and NJPW. 

 

Mark Molyneux

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Mark Molyneux is a freelance writer covering the NRL and UFC for Sporting News Australia. He has previously worked in the music industry and as a teacher around the world.