NRL Judiciary
The NRL Judiciary is the disciplinary judiciary of the National Rugby League (NRL), a rugby league competition. The Judiciary regulates the on-field conduct of players from NRL clubs.[1][2]
Due to changes announced on the eve of the 2022 NRL season,[3] the NRL Judiciary is made up of former players who convene in two-man panels to rule on on-field incidents. The judiciary has been chaired by Supreme Court of NSW Justice Geoffrey Bellew since 2015.[4] Bellew has the deciding vote should the panel's verdict not be unanimous.[3]
From 2022, the Match Review Committee deciding on whether charges are issued against players for on-field conduct is managed by former NRL player and video referee Luke Patten.[3]
An integrity unit was formed on 7 February 2013 and is headed by former Federal Court judge Tony Whitlam.[5]
Penalties Table
Updated for 2022 NRL season.[3]
| Offence | Grade | 1st Offence (Early plea in brackets) |
2nd Offence (Early plea in brackets) |
3rd Offence (Early plea in brackets) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Tackle - Careless | 1 | $1,500 ($1,000) | $2,500 ($1,800) | 2 matches ($3,000) |
| 2 | 2 matches (1) | 3 matches (2) | 4 matches (3) | |
| 3 | 3 matches (2) | 4 matches (3) | 5 matches (4) | |
| High Tackle - Reckless | 4(1)[lower-alpha 1] | 4 matches (3) | 5 matches (4) | 6 matches (5) |
| 5(2) | 5 matches (4) | 6 matches (5) | 7 matches (6) | |
| 6(3) | 6 matches (5) | 7 matches (6) | 8 matches (7) | |
| Dangerous Contact | 1 | $1,500 ($1,000) | $2,500 ($1,800) | 2 matches ($3,000) |
| 2 | 2 matches (1) | 3 matches (2) | 4 matches (3) | |
| 3 | 3 matches (2) | 4 matches (3) | 5 matches (4) | |
| Dangerous Throw | 1 | $1,500 ($1,000) | $2,500 ($1,800) | 3 matches (2) |
| 2 | 3 matches (2) | 4 matches (3) | 5 matches (4) | |
| 3 | 5 matches (4) | 6 matches (5) | 7 matches (6) | |
| Striking | 1 | $2,000 ($1,500) | 2 matches ($3,000) | 4 matches (3) |
| 2 | 3 matches (2) | 4 matches (3) | 5 matches (4) | |
| 3 | 4 matches (3) | 5 matches (4) | 6 matches (5) | |
| Crusher Tackle | 1 | $2,000 ($1,500) | 2 matches ($3,000) | 4 matches (3) |
| 2 | 3 matches (2) | 4 matches (3) | 5 matches (4) | |
| 3 | 4 matches (3) | 5 matches (4) | 6 matches (5) | |
| Contrary Conduct | 1 | $1,500 ($1,000) | $2,500 ($1,800) | 2 matches ($3,000) |
| 2 | 2 matches (1) | 3 matches (2) | 4 matches (3) | |
| 3 | 3 matches (2) | 4 matches (3) | 5 matches (4) | |
| Shoulder Charge | 1 | $2,000 ($1,500) | 2 matches ($3,000) | 4 matches (3) |
| 2 | 3 matches (2) | 4 matches (3) | 5 matches (4) | |
| 3 | 4 matches (3) | 5 matches (4) | 6 matches (5) | |
Previous points table
System in place from 1998-2021, this version from 2017-2021.[6]
100 points = 1 match suspension
| Offence | Grade 1 | Grade 2 | Grade 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tripping | $1,500 or 100 | 200 | 300 |
| Kicking | 200 | 300 | 400 |
| Striking | 200 | 300 | 400 |
| Reckless high tackle | 400 | 500 | 600 |
| Intentional high tackle | Refer to panel | ||
| Careless high tackle | $1,500 or 100 | 200 | 300 |
| Dropping Knees | 200 | 300 | 400 |
| Dangerous Throw | $1,500 or 100 | 300 | 500 |
| Contrary conduct | $1,500 or 100 | 200 | 300 |
| Detrimental conduct | $1,500 or 100 | 200 | 300 |
| Dangerous contact - head/neck | 100 | 300 | 500 |
| Dangerous contact - other | 100 | 200 | 300 |
| Shoulder charge | 200 | 350 | 500 |
| Crusher tackle | 200 | 350 | 500 |
History
NRL records
Source:[7]
| Player | Charges | Season | Matches suspended |
Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Williams | Striking | 2004 | 18 | |
| John Hopoate | Striking | 2005 | 17 | |
| James Graham | Biting | 2012 | 12 | |
| Clint Newton | Striking | 2004 | 12 | |
| John Hopoate | 3 × Contrary conduct | 2001 | 12 | |
| Josh Stuart | 2 × high tackles | 1998 | 12[8] | |
| Luke O'Donnell | Reckless high tackle | 2003 | 11 | |
| Lopini Paea | Dangerous Throw | 2006 | 10 | |
| Luke MacDougall | Dangerous Throw | 2005 | 10 | |
| Tim Maddison | Striking | 2002 | 10 | |
| Greg Bird | Dangerous contact - head/neck | 2004 | 10 |
Notes
- High Tackle Reckless is effectively treated as a grade up from High Tackle Careless
References
- "Judiciary Code".
- "News".
- "NRL confirm enhancements to judiciary and MRC". NRL.com. National Rugby League. 10 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- Browning, Jennifer (5 March 2015). "NRL appointment of Honourable Justice Geoff Bellew welcomed by predecessor Paul Conlon". abc.net.au. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- "NRL creates integrity unit in response to Crime Commission probe into Australian sport". Smh.com.au. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
- "NRL - Judiciary Code". NRL.com. National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- "The longest NRL suspensions in the modern era". www.sportingnews.com. 25 July 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
- Middleton, David (October 1998). Rugby League 1999. Sydney: Harper Sports. p. 89-91. ISBN 0732267773.