Wests Tigers prop David Klemmer escapes suspension after two high tackles in Sunday’s Round 6 match against the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Despite the late-game incidents with the Tigers trailing, Klemmer remained on the field following two high tackles, raising eyebrows among many.
The first tackle, on Kyle Flanagan, occurred with just over 20 minutes left in the game, where Klemmer seemed to make contact above the Dragons’ five-eighth’s shoulders. The second incident, against Zac Lomax and sparking a scuffle, happened six minutes before fulltime and also appeared to involve direct contact.
Referee Grant Atkins and bunker official Todd Smith, the same pair who recently sent off Dominic Young and sin-binned Victor Radley, opted to let Klemmer continue playing. Interestingly, Radley was not charged for his tackle.
The match review committee has now weighed in, assigning Klemmer two Grade 1 charges. Given his clean record over the past year, Klemmer faces fines of $1000 for each charge with an early guilty plea or $1500 per charge if he contests and loses.
Teammate Justin Matamua was also charged for dangerous contact on Raymond Faitala-Mariner, with a Grade 1 charge carrying the same fine structure as Klemmer’s.
In the only charge from Sunday’s second game, Gold Coast Titans’ prop Jaimin Jolliffe received a Grade 1 careless high tackle charge for an incident involving Zac Hosking. He faces the same fine options as Klemmer and Matamua.
All three players have until midday (AEST) on Tuesday to decide whether to challenge the charges at the judiciary or accept early guilty pleas.