Penrith five-eighth Travis Burns could miss 17 matches after being handed two charges by the NRL today.
Burns faces a maximum of 12 weeks out for his sickening high tackle on Roosters forward Martin Kennedy late in yesterday’s match at Centrebet Stadium.
And he faces a further four weeks out for his “chicken wing” incident in the first half.
With the way the points system works, and his prior offences, Burns faces a total of 17 weeks out should he fight the charges and lose at the NRL judiciary.
If he takes the early guilty plea on both charges, he’ll be suspended for 12 games.
The situation is horrible for the Panthers, who now face the prospect of being without Burns for a big chunk of next season.
Tonight, the Panthers said they were assessing their options.
“Penrith Panthers coaching staff are currently reviewing the footage of the alleged incidents involving Travis Burns during yesterday’s win over the Sydney Roosters, which have resulted in two charges being levelled against him by the NRL Judiciary,” the Panthers said in a statement.
“The club is currently exploring Travis’ options using the appropriate legal channels, and will lodge its response to the NRL by the midday deadline tomorrow.
“As such, no further comment will be made by Travis, coaching staff or any other Penrith Panthers spokesperson at this time.”
Burns’ likely suspension all but confirms that Lachlan Coote will play out the year at five-eighth.
