Penrith has been dealt another major judiciary blow with forward James Fisher-Harris facing between two and three weeks out after being charged with a Careless High Tackle stemming from last night’s win over Canberra.
The Match Review Committee has hit Fisher-Harris, who was sin-binned after the first half incident involving Canberra’s Ryan Sutton, with a grade three charge.
It carries a two match suspension if he takes an early guilty plea and three weeks if he fights the charge and loses.
The grading is a major surprise and Penrith will likely seriously consider fighting the charge and/or grading.
Even Canberra coach Ricky Stuart said last night Fisher-Harris should not be suspended over the tackle.
Meantime, five-eighth Jaeman Salmon is facing a monetary fine only after being charged with Contrary Conduct for an incident involving Tom Starling in the 60th minute.
The incident sparked major controversy in the press conference post-game after Stuart labelled Salmon a “weak gutted dog”.
The NRL is investigating Stuart’s comments and Penrith is considering legal action.
“I’ve had history with that kid and I know that kid very well,” Stuart said.
“He was a weak gutted dog as a kid and he hasn’t changed now. He’s a weak gutted person now.”
This morning, Stuart issued a grovelling apology.
“I regret saying what I did on that platform after the game. I was speaking as a father and not as a football coach. My reaction was to a family situation that I thought I had dealt with, clearly I haven’t,” he told Nine News.
“I allowed my emotions to get the better of me and for that I’m sorry. There is a history between Jaeman Salmon and my family that I will not go into. I should not have brought it up after the game, but it just got the better of me. I am truly sorry”.
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.