The penalties from last Thursday’s match were handed out after the judiciary met on Wednesday night (11 April). Photo: Supplied by CRRL.
Punishments from the all-in-brawl that marred the Canberra Raiders Cup season opener at GIO Stadium on Thursday night have been handed out with seven players copping suspensions.
A biff that saw five players sent to the bin detracted from the season opener that saw reigning premiers Queanbeyan Blues defeat the Yass Magpies in an entertaining affair.
Former Canberra Raider and current Queanbeyan Blues coach Terry Campese was one of the five players given their marching orders after several punches were thrown following Blues’ Jake Stein’s high tackle on Yass prop Saipani Aiolupo.
Campese, Wheeler, Cullen, Edwards and Warner were all sent off in the game which was played as a curtain-raiser to the Raiders clash with the Bulldogs.
The penalties from last Thursday’s match were handed out after the judiciary met on Wednesday night (11 April).
Mitchell Edwards, Terry Campese and Jake Wheeler will all miss one match after the judiciary took into consideration discounts for good behaviour over the last two seasons and players taking the early plea.
Magpies’ Benny Warner will miss five matches after his suspension was increased due to other offences in the last two seasons. Warner also received a discount for taking the early plea.
Blues lock Aisea Taholo was sent directly to the judiciary and will miss three matches while teammate Michael Cullen is out for two.
Willie Peace is set to front the judiciary next week where his suspension will be determined.
Canberra Region Rugby League general manager Mark Vergano said that he agreed with the referee’s decision to send players from the field and supported the judiciary’s final decision.
“The actions displayed last Thursday night were unacceptable,” he said.
“We fully support the referee’s decision and will ensure this kind of behaviour is stamped out of our game.”
Charges
Name: Mitchell Edwards
Team: Yass Magpies
Offence: Striking – Grade 2
Suspension: 1 match
Name: Michael Cullen
Team: Queanbeyan Blues
Offence: Contrary Conduct – Grade 2
Suspension: 2 matches
Name: Terry Campese
Team: Queanbeyan Blues
Offence: Contrary Conduct – Grade 1
Suspension: 1 match
Name: Benny Warner
Team: Yass Magpies
Offence: Contrary Conduct – Grade 2
Suspension: 5 matches
Name: Jake Wheeler
Team: Queanbeyan Blues
Offence: Striking – Grade 2
Suspension: 1 match
Name: Aisea Taholo
Team: Queanbeyan Blues
Offence: Contrary Conduct – Grade 4
Suspension: 3 matches
Name: Willie Peace
Team: Yass Magpies
Offence: Contrary Conduct – Grade 4
Suspension: Suspended until he faces the judiciary and receives his suspension
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