Penrith Centre Casey McLean Suspended for High Tackle That Broke Jaw
Penrith Panthers centre Casey McLean is confronting a one-week suspension following a high tackle that resulted in Canterbury Bulldogs prop Max King sustaining a broken jaw. The incident occurred during the Bulldogs' 32-16 victory on Thursday, with McLean being sent to the sin-bin in the first half after referee Gerard Sutton halted play and issued the penalty several plays later.
Charge and Consequences for McLean
On Friday morning, the NRL charged McLean with a grade-two careless high tackle. If McLean accepts the suspension with an early guilty plea, he will miss one match, specifically the Panthers' upcoming trip to Darwin to face the Dolphins next week. However, if he chooses to contest the charge at the NRL judiciary and loses, he risks an additional match on the sidelines.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary commented on the incident, stating, "My initial thoughts were based around the pub test where none of the players see it or feel it. It might have been shoulder then head and a bit of whiplash … there's not much vision so it's hard to say." Cleary is now likely to be without the 19-year-old McLean for the crucial away game.
Impact on Max King and Canterbury Bulldogs
Any potential appeal by McLean is expected to be undermined by the confirmation of King's broken jaw. The reliable Canterbury prop is scheduled to undergo surgery as a direct result of McLean's hit. This setback comes at a challenging time for the Bulldogs, who had appeared to be making positive strides in their season.
In a related development, Canterbury utility Kurt Mann was also charged with a high shot on Scott Sorensen during the same match. Mann will avoid suspension, receiving instead a $1000 fine for his involvement.
The NRL's disciplinary actions highlight the ongoing focus on player safety and the consequences of high tackles in the sport. As both teams adjust their line-ups, the suspension and injury could significantly influence their performance in the coming weeks.
