WENDELL HUSSEY | Cadet | CONTACT
A broad leaf paperbark tree is facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines, after a reckless high shot over the weekend.
The melaleuca quinquenervia is staring down the barrel of up to 8 weeks out, following the match review committee’s decision to charge the tree with Grade 3 dangerous contact.
The tree who represents the myrtaceae team could have the ban downgraded to 6 weeks with an early guilty plea.
Tasked with punishing players for foul play, the NRL Match Review Committee has confirmed that the tree’s contact with Paul Kent’s head was reckless, high, and late.
The incident in question occurred on Saturday night at the paperbark trees home ground out the front of Tottis Rozelle, where Kent tried to take a hit up at another night time reveller, before being clocked by the tree.
Kent was sent for a HIA after the high contact, and has since entered NRL360’s concussion protocol.
A timeline on his return has not yet been outlined, with many hoping that the latest blow could spell an early retirement.
It’s believed lawyers for the tree will attempt to plead the case that Kent was falling when contact was made with his head.
If they can prove that mitigating factor, it may slash another week or two off the ban.
The tree’s clean record will also be a factor used in trying to reduce the ban.
More to come.
