'Shouldn't be able to': Andrew Johns calls for NRL crackdown amid flurry of bans
But it was Lawton's tackle on Siua Wong earlier on Sunday that left league 'Immortal' Johns fuming in commentary for Channel Nine and the Roosters forward facing up to six weeks out with a knee injury. Lawton was hit with a grade 3 dangerous contact charge for the first-half incident that forced Wong from the field after he was held upright by two defenders, before Lawton came in and collected him directly on the knee.
Scans on Monday confirmed a medial ligament tear for the Roosters forward, meaning he's set to spend at least a month on the sidelines. The Cowboys forward was not even penalised for the tackle during the 42-8 loss, despite referee Ashley Klein and bunker officials having time to review the incident. Fortunately for the Roosters, five-eighth Sandon Smith was cleared of a serious knee injury after hobbling off in the second half.
Siua Wong is expected to miss 4-6 weeks after suffering an MCL tear in Round 16 (via @ScottBaileyAAP).Likely moderate grade MCL sprain (partial ligament tear) with that recovery timeframe.In better news for the Roosters - scans have cleared Sandon Smith of any injury. pic.twitter.com/cQcwDiBNOw
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) June 23, 2025
But the tackle on Wong left Johns fuming in commentary, with the league legend insisting the game needs to do more to stamp out third-man-in tackles that put the ball-carrier at risk. "It's dangerous, I hate it," Johns said. "If you have two players in the tackle, and momentum is pretty much (stopped), that third man shouldn't be able to go in like that.
"A couple of years ago we saw Liam Knight get hit from behind and it pretty much destroyed every ligament in his knee. The player cannot see it coming. And what's come into the game is they back into the tackle so they can see the third man coming in and spearing at the knee.
"And what's happened with that happening is we have crushers coming into the game, because of players turning and twisting looking for that third man." Lawton's charge is only the second grade-three for any offence this season, after Dolphins veteran Felise Kaufusi copped the same punishment for dangerous contact on Cowboy Tom Duffy last week.
Only Manly prop Tof Sipley has been given a higher grading this season after being referred straight to the NRL judiciary for a hip-drop tackle that injured St George Illawarra's Mat Feagai in April. Lawton's clean record means he can accept a two-match ban with an early plea or risk a third game on the sidelines if he elects to fight the grading.
RELATED:
Roosters make call on DCE as pressure mounts for club to backflip
Queensland Origin twist after ugly scenes for Walsh and Hammer
Blow for Titans and Queensland after Origin hopeful ruled out
Parramatta have also been dealt a double blow after Sunday night's 36-20 win over the Titans, with Eels hooker Smith and centre Penisini facing multiple games out after copping dangerous throw charges. Penisini's lifting tackle on Beau Fermor was the worst of the two and he's facing a three-week suspension for the 78th minute incident that saw the Gold Coast player land dangerously on his head.
The Eels centre was sin-binned for the tackle and faces an extra week on the sidelines than his Parramatta teammate, due to his prior record. Smith's lifting tackle on Phillip Sami was more innocuous but still ultimately dangerous for the Titans player, with the Eels hooker facing two games out unless he decides to fight the charge.
with agencies
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Family connection severed as Storm linked with stunning move for NRL superstar
The NRL world is in a frenzy over the prospect of Tino Fa'asuamaleaui moving back to the Melbourne Storm, after Brandon Smith said he'd heard 'whispers' of the rumoured move on Wednesday. And Tino no longer has a family connection at the Gold Coast Titans after younger brother Iszac signed with Catalans Dragons in the UK Super League. Tino is under contract with the Titans until the end of 2033, but has a number of get-out clauses in his 10-year deal. One of the clauses means he's free to test the open market on November 1 this year ahead of potentially getting out of his contract in 2027. The Queensland Origin star's agent has stated they will test the open market to see what's out there, but flagged his client is happy on the Gold Coast with their family support network. The Dragons and Bulldogs are believed to be preparing offers, but Smith dropped a bombshell on Wednesday when he said he's heard rumours the Storm could be in play. Fa'asuamaleaui started his NRL career at the Melbourne Storm, playing 27 games for the club in 2019 and 2020 - including the Storm's victory in the 2020 grand final. He moved to the Titans in 2021, but hasn't managed to have much success on the Gold Coast. Smith was also at the Storm at the same time as Fa'asuamaleaui, and still has friends at the club. Speaking on the 'Bye Round' podcast with James Graham, the current Rabbitohs player said: 'I heard a little whisper.. I heard something about Melbourne. Nelson's (Asofa-Solomona) contract's coming up. That's all I'm saying, and he is on big money.' Via The Bye Round on YT — NRLCentral (@centralNRL) August 20, 2025 NRL world responds amid Tino Fa'asuamaleaui bombshell Asofa-Solomona is under contract until the end of 2027 on a deal worth $900,000 per year. The Storm could also have a lot of money freed up if Ryan Papenhuyen or Cameron Munster decide to leave, with both being linked to the Perth Bears in recent times. 'For Tino and what he is dealing with at the Titans, he obviously doesn't like this situation,' Graham said in response to Smith. 'If he goes to Perth, you have to assume they are a work in progress. If he goes to the Dragons, they aren't screaming finals, although they are improving and they are achieving enough results. 'They aren't that far away, and maybe Tino could be that person, but I think they need some more creativity in their halves. But if Tino maybe just thinks I want to win, then it's less about the money and more about the destination (Melbourne).' Fa'asuamaleaui is on $1.2 million per season at the Titans, and the Bears are believed to be willing to offer $1.5m over five years. But if the Kangaroos and Maroons star is desperate to win, he could take less money to rejoin the Storm. As Bryan Fletcher pointed out on SEN radio on Wednesday afternoon, Tino has a strong bond with Craig Bellamy and revealed he couldn't face sitting down to tell him he's signed with the Titans because he knew he'd get convinced to stay. "Maybe money's not the issue," Fletcher said. "I just remember when he said he couldn't face Bellamy to tell him he was signing with the Titans. He'd probably only get half (the money at the Storm)." Co-host Joel Caine suggested he wouldn't be testing the open market if he wasn't planning to leave, saying "he's not a Gold Coast Titan. His brother has signed elsewhere so that's even more reason to leave." RELATED: Panthers continue poaching raids with signing of Wests Tigers player Knights' pursuit of Roosters player throws Ponga's future in more doubt Tino Fa'asuamaleaui's brother Iszac signs with Catalans On Wednesday, Tino's brother Iszac signed a two-year deal with Catalans in France, who also recently lured unwanted Bulldog Toby Sexton and Wests Tigers centre Solomona Faataape. Iszac came through the Titans' development pathways and has played 25 matches over three seasons, including 11 off the bench this year. The 23-year-old told the Catalans club website he was looking forward to improving his game under new coach, former England international Joel Tomkins. "It's a great opportunity for me to improve my game, gain experience, and be a part of what Joel Tomkins is building within the playing group," Iszac said. "I'm also looking forward to living in such a beautiful part of the world in the south of France and experiencing it all with my family." Meanwhile, Tino has reportedly decided to remain loyal to the Kangaroos amid rumours he's considering an international switch to Samoa. Tino will reportedly make himself available for the Ashes series in England this year before deciding on a switch to Samoa next season. with AAP
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Panthers continue poaching raids as NRL champs sign outside back from Tigers
For years the Penrith Panthers have had to contend with rival NRL clubs raiding their junior ranks. It even got to the point where Ivan Cleary called for the Panthers to be compensated by the NRL for producing so much young talent that ends up at different clubs. But the four-time premiers are starting to get some of their own back, signing a number of talented youngsters from rival clubs in recent weeks. On the back of signing playmakers Keahn Skipps from the Raiders and Haami Loza from the Knights, the Panthers have also poached a rising outside back from the Wests Tigers' system. This week, teenager Thomas Goodfield agreed to join the Panthers in another huge recruitment coup for the defending champs. Goodfield has been playing for the Western Suburbs Magpies in the Harold Matthews Cup competition (Under-17s), and will play for the Panthers next year in the Under-19s SG Ball Cup. Goodfield plays on the wing or in the centres and is one of the most highly-rated youngsters in the Tigers' pathways system. His move to the Panthers will come as a massive blow to Tigers coach Benji Marshall and the organisation. "My dad, who was a diehard Parra fan, got me into playing footy, and it'd be mad and good for my family (to one day play in the NRL)," Goodfield told earlier this year. "I've played this sport all the way up through the grades, but I'd just be over the moon about it if it does happen in the future. It would be so good (to play in the NRL)." Panthers continue signing spree of talented youngsters The signing of Goodfield continues a recruitment drive for the Panthers, who have also snared Skipps and Loza from Canberra and Newcastle respectively. Both are highly-rated halves and will gain valuable experience alongside Nathan Cleary in the Penrith system. The Panthers also thought they'd poached young back-rower Kayliss Fatialofa from the Warriors, but he backflipped during the cooling off period and decided to stay in New Zealand. It's believed the 20-year-old agreed to join Penrith before he had a change of heart. RELATED: Knights' pursuit of Roosters player throws Ponga's future in more doubt Broncos teammate could join Payne Haas and defect from Kangaroos Last month, the Panthers lost twin 16-year-olds Alexander and Cornelius Pupualii to the Dragons. Cornelius is a 193cm-tall centre weighing in at 100kg, who the Dragons view as a long-term member of their back-line. While Alexander is a 119kg second-rower, who has missed all junior footy this season due to an ACL injury. The Panthers have one of the best junior pathways systems in the NRL, which inevitably results in rival clubs poaching some of their best young talent. Speaking last year, coach Cleary called for the NRL to introduce a compensation system for when clubs have their junior ranks raided. "I think we should get dispensation, probably more in a development sense," Cleary said. "We develop a lot of players here that end up elsewhere, so I feel like we should get looked after more by the NRL in that space, apart from the salary cap and how it all works, it's hard to argue with. But I do think we should be compensated in some way for the amount of players we've developed and the status they've become throughout the league." Penrith could part ways with up to 10 players The Panthers continue to top up their junior ranks and have been moving on some of their fringe first-graders. Brad Schneider and Mavrik Geyer have signed with the Dolphins and Tigers respectively for 2026, while there's reports that Daine Laurie and Luke Sommerton have been told they can look elsewhere and won't be receiving a new contract. Asu Kepaoa has agreed to a deal with the Knights, while there's speculation that Preston Riki, Harry Hassett, Soni Luke, Austin Dias, Zac Lipowicz and Riley Price could all be looking for new clubs. I agree 10000% with everyone on your 'gone list'…Sommerton has also been told he can look elsewhere if he likes. Nit sure about the other three…I think thug might keep Lamont. — Peter Lang (@PeterVLang) August 18, 2025
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Another great time': Aussie ace eyes more Vuelta glory
Fresh from delivering the Australian highlight of the Tour de France with his solo triumph on its most testing stage, Ben O'Connor has now targeted another spectacular three weeks at La Vuelta a Espana as his follow-up. The world championship silver medallist had endured a fairly subdued first year riding in the colours of Australian team Jayco AlUla until he lit up the 18th day of racing at his otherwise difficult Tour last month by launching a spectacular 15km solo attack on the fiendish Col de la Loze. The triumph, his second at the Tour, was a reminder of just how brilliant the 29-year-old O'Connor can be on his best days, just as he was at last year's Vuelta when he won the sixth stage by almost four-and-a-half minutes to take the race leader's red jersey which he held for another 12 days. O'Connor eventually finished runner-up - the best ever performance at the Vuelta by an Australian - and now he's in the mood for a repeat performance in the season's final Grand Tour in Spain. "Last year, I had an amazing time leading the race for two weeks, wearing the red jersey, and it was a pretty special moment being on the podium," said O'Connor, who is currently among eight projected Australian starters in the race that begins on Saturday in the Italian venue of Turin. "I'm coming back this year aiming for another great result and another great time. "The route in general is a bit of a mixture with some easier stages, along with climbs that suit me quite well. There are some iconic stages like the Angliru, which I've never actually done before. "It's one of the hardest climbs in the world, so I can tick that one off the list. Hopefully, we'll get to Madrid, and I can also be up there on GC myself." 🫡 It's Beeeeeen O'Connor!👋🏻 @GreenEDGEteam #LaVuelta25 — La Vuelta (@lavuelta) August 20, 2025 O'Connor leads a parade of 10 Australians in the 80th edition of the Vuelta, a lineup that also includes former Giro d'Italia winner Jai Hindley and UAE Team Emirates climbing star Jay Vine. All those three should thrive on a course with 11 summit finishes, headed by the iconic Angliru in the second week. In the absence of four-time winner Primoz Roglic and Tour champ Tadej Pogacar, who's focusing his attention on preparing for the world championships, Jonas Vingegaard is favourite to take the title, a third Grand Tour to go with his two Tour victories. Australians riding at the 2025 Vuelta a Espana Ben O'Connor, Kelland O'Brien, Chris Harper (Jayco AlUla); Jack Haig (Bahrain-Victorious); Callum Scotson (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale); Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates-XRG); Damien Howson (Q36.5 Pro Cycling); Jai Hindley (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe); Chris Hamilton, Patrick Eddy (Team Picnic PostNL).
