Cronulla center-back Chad Townsend will pay a heavy price for his vicious shoulder strain on Knights full-back Kalyn Ponga on Friday night.
Townsend was given a third class shoulder suit over the incident in which the Sharks playmaker was controversially dismissed by referee Ben Cummins.
He’s now faced with a three-week suspension if found guilty early and risks a five-week sideline hiatus if unsuccessfully attempted to overturn the charges – a decision that could seriously affect the eighth-place Haie final.
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Townsend sent for BRUTAL Hit
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The Sharks halfback threw himself in the air, making no attempt to tackle ponga in a bizarre incident that came after the whistle.
His release from the field virtually ended the slim chance of a Sharks setback in the second half. The match ended 38-10 after Ponga suffered a riot.
While the Knights defender putting the Sharks by the sword, he could play a vital role in Townsend’s defense if the Shark decides to fight his charges.
That’s because after the match, Ponga claimed Townsend’s shoulder didn’t touch his head, as the footage seemed to show.
The Sharks in eighth place face the Warriors (ninth), Roosters (fourth) and Raiders (fifth) in the finals – which means Townsend will miss the rest of the regular season if found guilty early.
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Townsend isn’t the only Sharks star to stand before time after the disciplined clash.
Wade Graham and Toby Rudolf were both caught early that evening for a hoist against Knights No. 6 Mason Lino charged. Graham ditched a dangerous second grade throwing charge that left him exterminated for two weeks with an early admission of guilt, or three weeks if he tried his case unsuccessfully in the judiciary.
Rudolf dropped out on first class indictment because of the incident, which allows him to avoid being suspended with an early admission of guilt.
Braden Hamlin-Uele was also reported for a similar tackle against David Klemmer in the same game, but was not charged by the NRL judiciary.
Meanwhile, striker Christian Welch has been handed a dangerous Class 1 contact accusation for a hit against Rabbitoh striker Liam Knight but can avoid suspension with an early admission of guilt.
HEAR: Why Townsend was sent
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