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The longest suspensions in NRL history

Some horrendous incidents in this list.

Published by
Sean Carroll

The NRL has been hit with plenty of acts of madness over the years on-field, with the match review committee and judiciary forced to work overtime.

While only one player appears on this list - no prizes for guessing who - he doesn't quite hold the record for the longest suspension.

Now, with Round 3 of the 2022 season in the books, there is a threat of a new name entering the books after Newcastle Knights Mitch Barnett clocked Penrith forward Chris Smith with an off the ball elbow during Saturday's clash in Bathurst.

Barnett has been referred straight to the judiciary, with the hearing to be held on Tuesday night.

George Burgess - 9 matches

During a 2019 match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers, George Burgess received a nine-match suspension for an eye gouging offence against Robbie Farah.

It ended his season on the spot, with the ugly incident occurring near the tryline.

Travis Burns - 9 matches

Penrith's Travis Burns was whacked with a nine-match ban for an intentional high tackle on Sydney's Martin Kennedy.

It looked more like a clothesline you might see in the WWE!

Tim Maddison - 10 matches

During a 2002 game, Maddison, a North Queensland second rower and prop, was sent off for striking current Gold Coast Titans coach Justin Holbrook in a match against the Sydney Roosters.

It would bring the curtain down on his career, with Maddison leaving the Cowboys at the end of the season and only making two further NRL appearances at the Newcastle Knights.

Greg Bird - 10 matches

Back in 2014, Cronulla's Greg Bird copped a 10-week suspension for kneeing South Sydney's Shane Marteene in the head.

He was sent off by the referee after the incident. Bird apologised to Marteene after in the rooms after the match and wrote letters to the player and club.

Tony Williams - 10 matches

Williams got Manly's season off to a hot start before a dangerous tackle saw their centre sidelined for a hefty section of his season.

The tackle saw a 120 kg Williams swing the 80 kg hooker into the ground.

Luke O'Donnell - 11 matches

In his second game of the 2003 season, the Wests Tigers' O'Donnell copped an 11-week suspension for a late, high tackle that broke Micael Monaghan's jaw.

O'Donnell played no further games for the Tigers.

Clint Newton - 12 matches

Seven minutes into a match between the Nights and the Dragons, Newcastle's Clint Newton absolutely levelled Ashton Sims with his elbow. He rightfully copped 12 matches for one of the roughest incidents you'll ever see.

James Graham - 12 matches

After a fight escalated between the two in a one-on-one headlock during the grand final of that year, the Bulldogs' Graham decided it'd be a great idea to bite the ear of the Storm's star.

Turns out, not the greatest idea on the planet and the replay showed exactly what he did. The Mike Tyson impersonator copped 12 matches for "contrary conduct".

John Hopoate - 12 matches

This might be the strangest method to play rugby league.

In 2001, John Hopoate decided it'd be a great idea to stick a finger up the shorts of opposition players during a tackle. He copped 12 matches for his peculiar method of tackling.

John Hopoate - 17 matches

His second appearance on the list, Manly's John Hopoate was given a massive 17-week suspension for striking Cronulla's Keith Galloway in March 2005,

Fair to say Galloway was out cold.

Danny Williams - 18 matches

The longest ban in NRL history was served to Melbourne's Danny Williams after a king hit on the West Tigers' Mark O'Neill in 2004. After a rough tackle on himself, Williams retaliated in the wrong way altogether by attacking the unaware O'Neill.

Play continued after the hit but, in retrospect, it's amazing neither side did anything (not that they should, they're there to play rugby) and the referees deserve a pat on the back for not letting the situation escalate.

Published by
Sean Carroll