Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton has escaped a ban despite being charged for dangerous contact when he dropped his knees into Dragons winger Christian Tuipulotu.
Crichton was one of five players charged after Saturday night’s two clashes but all will avoid suspension by paying fines.
The Bulldogs conceded a penalty try when Crichton led with his knees as Tuipulotu tried to ground the ball during the 28-20 win to the Dogs at Kogarah.
Even though it is his second offence, Crichton will not be banned and will cough up $1800-$2500.
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Bulldogs teammate Jacob Preston was charged over a high tackle on Val Holmes while Dragons prop Emre Guler was pinged for dangerous contact over a hip-drop tackle.
St George Illawarra winger Mat Feagai and Cowboys utility Karl Lawton in his team’s loss to Manly also face fines for the same charge.
Meanwhile, South Sydney star Jack Wighton has been banned 1-2 matches by the NRL match review committee for a careless high tackle as the Rabbitohs sealed a 16-14 win over the Dolphins to open their NRL season.
Wighton was charged with a grade-two offence for a hit on forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and will miss next weekend’s Wollongong clash with the Dragons or risk a second match out if he challenges the judiciary.
He was also pinged $1000-$1500 for dangerous contact on Daniel Saifiti while Dolphins utility Kurt Donoghoe will be slugged $1800-$2500 for the same offence.
Knights forward Tyson Frizell ($1000-$1500) for a careless high tackle on Tigers winger Jeral Skelton in Newcastle’s narrow win at Campbelltown was the only other charge from Friday night’s fixtures.
The Rabbitohs will rally around Tyrone Munro as the luckless winger braces for more time on the sidelines with another collarbone injury.
Munro scored two first-half tries against the Dolphins on Friday night but did not return after half-time.
At full-time, Munro was seen with his right arm in a sling and, after only one game to begin the year, told teammates he feared another collarbone injury.
A long-term injury would be a bitter blow for Munro, who managed only four games last season as a result of two separate collarbone fractures.
“He’s done one in both shoulders now,” Souths coach Wayne Bennett said at full-time on Friday.
Munro had been due to begin last season as a first-choice winger at Souths before his injury struggles, and looked poised to finally have extended time in the backline at first-grade level this year.
The depleted Rabbitohs can ill-afford to lose more troops given Cameron Murray (Achilles), Latrell Mitchell (hamstring), Alex Johnston (Achilles) and Euan Aitken (pectoral) are already out.
Utility Jayden Sullivan came into the backline against the Dolphins after Munro went down but specialist winger Fletcher Myers appears likelier to start in Souths’ round-two game against St George Illawarra.
with AAP
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