Cronulla Sharks forward Siosifa Talakai has hit withย a grade three charge by the match review committee for his alleged shoulder charge on Bulldogs forward Matt Doorey.

The 25-minute incident also saw Talakai sent to the sin bin and he is now facing a six-week suspension, with an early guilty plea reducing that to four weeks.

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But in typical NRL fashion, Talakaiโ€™s hit on Doorey has divided the rugby league community with plenty believing the hit was perfectly legal, while others think it was a textbook shoulder charge.

Due to Talakai being sent to the sin-bin and Doorey failing his HIA following the hit, the Bulldogs were the first club to make use of the new 18th man rule.

Bulldogs utility Brandon Wakeham played the last few minutes of the match after being named as the club's 18th man.

2 COMMENTS

  1. May as well just change the game to handbags at 10 paces.

    It was a good solid hit and not even worth a penalty let alone 10 in the bin and four weeks suspension.

    If that’s worth 4 weeks then Kaufusi deserved 6 months for his grubby elbow to the face and head slam on Ryan Matterson.

  2. That was 100% just a straight up shoulder charge. Talakai should be facing suspension for that hit.
    However, how does the St.George winger Pereira only get 10 minutes in the bin & be on report ? He did a clenched fist head high, swinging arm to Tedescoโ€™s head. Every bit the straight send off. Worse than what Hetherington got sent off for.
    Ravalawa , the other St.George winger should be facing the same long suspension as Talakai. Exactly the same shoulder charge used .

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