Case Number:

ON/1448/18

Anthony Thackery #7, Featherstone

Competition:

Super 8s

Match:

Featherstone v Barrow

Match Date:

2018-09-28

Incident:

Dangerous Throw in the 8th minute (Holmes)

Decision:

Charge

Charge Detail:

Barrow were attacking, the Barrow ball carrier was tackled by Anthony Thackeray and one other Featherstone player. The barrow player was then placed in a dangerous position before being taken to ground landing on his back.

Fine:

£250

Sanctions:

1 Match Penalty Notice

Decision On Charge

Player plea:

Guilty, but challenging the grading

Summary of CM's submissions on the Charge / evidence:

Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 1st October 2018, you are charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(d) during the above Match.

The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred in approximately the 8th minute of the above Match. You were temporarily dismissed following the incident. In the Panel’s opinion you lifted your opponent (Holmes) into a dangerous position. The Panel believed that your actions were unnecessary and had the potential to cause your opponent injury.

In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade B offence (Dangerous Throw - Lifting player into dangerous position). The normal suspension range for such offence is from a 1 – 2 match suspension.

The MRP were concerned at the manner in which Mr Thackery completes this tackle for which he was temporarily dismissed in the 8th minute.

Mr Thackery lifts the leg to destabilise initially but continues to lift to around chest height. He then throws the legs of his opponent at the highest point of the lift and the attacker is taken into very dangerous position.

The attacker’s arm makes contact with the ground first however is unable to bear any weight or to make the landing safe. His head and neck then make forceful contact with the ground.

There was a serious risk of injury in the incident although fortunately no injury occurs.

The MRP considered the actions of Mr Farrell but felt the attacker is only placed in the dangerous position by the lifting motion of Mr Thackery.

The MRP not suggestion this is an intentional or malicious act but feel a grading of Grade B is appropriate due to:

- Considered contribution from other defender
- Continues to grip and lift leg of opponent
- Throws the leg of attacker at the height of the lift
- Attacker placed in very dangerous position
- Attacker’s head hits ground in forceful manner

Summary of Player's submissions on the Charge / evidence:

The player attended the hearing alongside his Head Coach John Duffy.

Mr Duffy explained to the tribunal that he thought the player was careless in the initial collision and as he was tackling on the ball-carrying side he should have gone high and not low down. He has since spoken to the player and explained to him about the correct technique that should have been used.

He added the players team mate Connor Farrell was also involved in the tackle and that his continuing of the action was a major contribution to the way the tackle had ended, and that Mr Thackery had dropped off. No injury was caused to the opponent and he felt that the sin-binning was an appropriate punishment for the incident.

Mr Thackery then addressed the tribunal and told them that there was no malice involved and that is was a careless incident. He added that there was no throw involved and that he had released his opponent once he realised the position he was in.

There was no intent to cause any injury and he felt that the sin-binning he had received was enough of a punishment for his actions.

Mr Duffy then added he thought that his player could have taken his opponent to ground in a safer manner but again re-iterated that the temporary dismissal was enough of a punishment.

Decision:

Guilty

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal have carefully watched the footage and listened to the submissions from both sides.

They are of the opinion that the tackle was indeed careless and that they have looked carefully at the involvement of Mr Thackery’s team mate Connor Farrell. They do however feel that Mr Thackeray’s lift is the action that caused the problem and that luckily his opponent on this occasion did not suffer an injury.

They therefore feel that the grading at Grade B is correct and on this occasion the challenge to the Penalty Notice has been unsuccessful.

Decision On Sanction (where found to have committed Misconduct)

Summary of CM's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

N/A

Summary of Player's submissions on the appropriate sanction:

Mr Duffy told the tribunal that he felt that the challenge to the Penalty Notice was not unreasonable. He added the player had just a single other offence in a 13 year career and that the incident being looked at was not done on purpose.

Aggravating Factors:

13/04/2017: Intentional Trip – Grade C – 2 matches

Reasons for Decision:

The Tribunal do not think that the Penalty Notice Challenge was unreasonable in this instance and will therefore not add an additional match to the players suspension.

They agree that by bringing the challenge it has allowed them to look at the part played by the players team mate and from that make a decision.

They therefore hand down a 1 match suspension and £250 fine. The club will also forfeit the £250 bond which is lodged as part of the process.

Suspension:

1 match