NRL Judiciary Round 4: Lachlan Galvin and Max Plath banned for hip drop tackles

Kieran Francis

NRL Judiciary Round 4: Lachlan Galvin and Max Plath banned for hip drop tackles image

Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell has been charged by the NRL Judiciary but has avoided a suspension for the incident with Bulldog flyer Josh Addo-Carr on Good Friday.

Meanwhile, Lachlan Galvin and Max Plath have been charged for hip drop tackles with the two players set for sideline stints. 

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Take a look at all the Round 4 NRL Judiciary news below:

Lachlan Galvin banned for hip drop tackle

Wests Tigers young gun Lachlan Galvin has landed himself in hot water after being charged for a hip drop tackle which saw him sent to the sin-bin. 

The playmaker has now taken the early guilty plea and will serve a two-week suspension for dangerous contact on Kelma Tuilagi. 

"You don't know how those things are going to go," Benji Marshall said post-match when asked about the incident in the 49th minute.

"Hopefully, he gets no weeks."

However, the MRC didn't agree when they hit Galvin with a Grade 3 charge. 

Max Plath receives two-game ban for hip-drop tackle

Max Plath has been hit with a two-game suspension for a hip drop tackle on Philip Sami in Saturday's Dolphins win over the Titans.

The incident occurred in the 36th minute with the Titans leading 10-6 at the time and could have resulted in Plath missing three games if he elected to fight the charge at panel and was found guilty. 

After the game, Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett came to the defence of his player. 

"Max Plath doesn't have a dirty bone in his body," Bennett said.

"It wasn't intentional and we don't teach it, talk about it or practice it. If it's gone wrong, it's gone wrong, and we'll just have to pay the consequences for it."

David Fifita escapes punishment for supposed trip 

David Fifita has escaped a charge of his own in his return from injury for the Titans. 

The Queensland star was placed on report in the final stages of the match for a potential trip on Jamayne Isaako, but the NRL found he had no case to answer. 

Latrell Mitchell cops fine for Addo-Carr hit

While trying to save a try, Mitchell hit Josh Addo-Carr in the head with his hip, knocking out the Bulldogs winger.

The South Sydney gun wasn't penalised for the incident during the game but has been given a fine by the Judiciary.

Mitchell has been charged with a grade one dangerous contact charge, that comes with an $1,800 fine. 

Kurtis Morrin suspended for dangerous throw

Kurtis Morrin was sent to the sin bin after he elevated Cam Murray into a dangerous position, seeing the Rabbitoh's head driven into the ground.

The Bulldog has been given a two-week ban for the incident. 

Full Round 4 Judiciary charge list

Player Charge Opponent Early plea Guilty at panel
Lachlan Galvin Dangerous Contact Kelma Tuilagi 2 matches 3 matches
Max Plath Dangerous Contact Phillip Sami 2 matches 3 matches
Latrell Mitchell Dangerous Contact Josh Addo-Carr $1,800 $2,500
Kurtis Morrin Dangerous Throw Cameron Murray 2 matches 3 matches
Blake Taaffe Dangerous Contact Jack Wighton $1,000 $1,500
Nat Butcher High Tackle - Careless Matthew Eisenhuth $1,000 $1,500

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Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.