Raiders fullback Jack Wighton has failed to have his match review charge dismissed but has been successful in having the charge downgraded.
The downgrade means he will miss the match against the Sharks on Saturday, but he will be free to return for the Raiders following game whether that is in week two or three of the finals series.
Wighton was cited for a shoulder charge on Tigers forward Joel Edwards in the 70th minute of their match against the Wests Tigers on Sunday and if found guilty of the grade two charge, he would have been ruled out for the remainder of the 2016 season.
The charge carried a base penalty 350 points, 490 points and four matches if found guilty of a grade two at the judiciary hearing.
His loss will be a blow to the Raiders team ahead of their week one finals match against the Sharks on Saturday however they will be relieved that he will be available at some stage during their finals campaign.
Match Review Committee Coordinator Michael Buettner expressed earlier in the week what his committee believes constitutes a shoulder charge.
“We look for three key indicators when determining whether a shoulder charge has been made,” Mr Buettner said.
“They are: 1 The upper arm of the defender must be tucked in to his side at contact.
2. The defender is making no attempt to wrap in the tackle with both arms
3. There is forceful contact by the defender to any part of the body of the attacking player.
“If all three of these indicators are clearly identified in an incident then a player will be charged with a shoulder charge.
“In the Wighton incident the MRC was satisfied that all three indicators were present and so a charge has been laid.”
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