LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Cronulla's Nicho Hynes is set to play in the first week of the finals after a surprise decision from the NRL resulted in the downgrade of a dangerous conduct charge he faced. Initially hit with a grade 2 charge for a hip-drop tackle on Bulldogs winger Marcelo Montoya during the final round, Hynes was urged to challenge the ruling despite the risk of facing a longer ban if unsuccessful.
If he had taken the early plea option, Hynes would have been sidelined for the opening elimination final against the Roosters, but with new medical evidence obtained from the Bulldogs indicating that Montoya had not suffered any serious injury, the nature of the case was significantly altered. This evidence allowed for a downgrade to a category 1 charge, which means Hynes will only have to pay a fine rather than face suspension.
This unexpected decision, while unprecedented, adheres to NRL rules and allows the Sharks to concentrate on their crucial game this Saturday. "The match review committee remains satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to justify a charge for the offence of dangerous contact against Nicho Hynes," an NRL statement said on Monday.