Raiders fullback Jack Wighton has failed to have his grade two match review charge dismissed, ruling him out for the remainder of the 2016 season.
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, with the base penalty 350 points and with loading and now he has been found guilty 490 points.
Wighton will now be forced to miss four games, meaning even if Canberra were to qualify for the Grand Final he would be under suspension and therefore unavailable.
His loss will be a major blow to the Raiders team ahead of their week one finals match against the Sharks on Saturday.
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: 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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