The Newcastle Knights and Cronulla Sharks are facing significant setbacks just before the NRL finals, as both Jacob Saifiti and Tom Hazelton received suspensions on Monday.
Saifiti was sent off during the Knights' defeat to the Warriors on Sunday after delivering a dangerous high shot that resulted in a concussion for winger Luke Laulilii. The State of Origin player charged out to make a tackle but unfortunately made contact as Laulilii was slipping, hitting him directly in the head. Referee Adam Gee had no choice but to eject Saifiti from the game.
On Monday, the match review committee classified it as a Grade 2 reckless high tackle, resulting in a four-game suspension if Saifiti enters an early guilty plea. Should the Knights challenge the ruling and lose, the suspension could extend to five games. If they reach the grand final, which still has five matches left, Saifiti would not be able to play again this season. This marked his second send-off in an eleven-year career. Earlier in 2023, he received a five-game suspension for a high tackle on Jake Simpkin.
Gee commented on the incident, stating, "He rushes out of the line with a lack of a duty of care. Direct and very forceful contact with the shoulder. You're off." Hazelton, on the other hand, faces a one-game suspension following a hip-drop tackle in the 73rd minute of Cronulla's 38-18 defeat against Parramatta. This was also categorized as a Grade 2 offense, but he could return for the first week of the finals if he accepts the early guilty plea.
Additionally, the Sharks lost Mawene Hiroti to a hip injury. Recently, they have struggled, losing to the bottom-ranked Eels, Dragons, and Raiders. This has led them to miss out on a top-four finish and the accompanying double chance in the finals.