NRL News: Panther learns fate for high shot, another Eels star shown the door, Ryles strikes back at Penrith
Panthers hooker Mitch Kenny has been slapped with a one-match suspension by the NRL match review committee for his high hit on Storm winger Grant Anderson, in a further blow for the three-time defending champions out of a turbulent Thursday night.
Already reeling from Nathan Cleary’s shoulder injury which saw the Penrith champion leave the field devastated and in pain late in their thrilling 24-22 loss that all but guarantees Melbourne the minor premiership, Kenny was dealt a grade two charge for the high contact on Anderson in the final ten minutes of the match.
He can accept a one-match sanction, or risk two by challenging the verdict at the NRL Judiciary.
Much to Storm fans’ displeasure, Kenny was only placed on report for the hit at the time, while Nelson Asofa-Solomona was sin-binned for his own high shot on Panthers winger Daine Laurie, where much of the force behind the incident was received by Storm teammate Cameron Munster.
Both Munster and Laurie passed head injury assessments and finished the game, with Asofa-Solomona escaping with an $1800 fine for a Grade 1 careless high tackle offence.
Veteran prop set to go as Ryles’ Parra clean-out continues
Former Test forward Reagan Campbell-Gillard looks set to be the first big name to hit the road in new coach Jason Ryles’ clean-out at Parramatta.
The veteran prop has been told he is free to leave despite having another year left on his contract.
North Queensland are reportedly at the ready to add RCG onto their roster next season although the clubs may have to negotiate a deal over whether the Cowboys pay the full $750,000 remaining on the contract due to their own tight salary cap situation.
The Cowboys have released Valentine Holmes to sign with the Dragons and will also have Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins), Chad Townsend (Roosters) and veteran hooker Jake Granville off the books next year but they have several young stars they have upgraded to keep at the club.
Fijian international Maika Sivo and former Origin forward Ryan Matterson have also been told they are free to leave the Eels early while winger Bailey Simonsson has been re-signed for three more years as part of Ryles’ early roster overhaul.
The former Storm assistant coach is looking to strike back at Penrith after the premiers poached the club’s hottest young talent in Blaize Talagi.
Parra are in the market for Panthers rising star Isaiah Iongi, who broke into first grade this year and is considered an NRL fullback of the future.
He played in Round 22 win over Newcastle when Dylan Edwards and Daine Laurie were sidelined with injury but his path to the No.1 jersey would be much easier at Parramatta with questions over whether captain Clint Gutherson will stay in the role long term.
Only two players in Parramatta’s roster are locked in beyond the end of this season, in the form of Mitch Moses and Junior Paulo.
Others including five-eighth Dylan Brown have contracts for longer, but have options in their favour that they must decider whether to take up.
Storm set to rest and rotate
Craig Bellamy has confirmed he plans to rest Melbourne players during the closing three rounds, in a move that could have serious implications on the NRL’s top eight.
The Storm’s 24-22 win over Penrith on Thursday night pushed Melbourne towards the minor premiership, and crucially secured a home final with a top-two finish.
