Liam Henry, a young forward for the Penrith Panthers, has received a two-game suspension following a dangerous crusher tackle during his team’s 25-6 defeat to the Newcastle Knights on Saturday night. The incident involved Henry applying his weight onto the neck of Knights player Fletcher Sharpe, leading to a sin bin and a report by match officials.
The match review committee designated the tackle as a grade two charge, resulting in a two-game ban, which can be reduced to this length if Henry submits an early guilty plea. Should he choose to contest the charge but ultimately lose, he would face an extended suspension of three games.
Henry’s tackle is emblematic of a dangerous technique that the league has been working to eliminate, signalling a significant loss for the reigning premiers as they look to recover from the recent defeat. Notably, league legend Steve Roach highlighted that Henry’s feet had left the ground during the tackle, and veteran commentator Andrew Voss condemned the move, stressing the importance of curbing such actions within the sport.
In a related note, Jacob Preston was handed a four-game suspension for a similar offense earlier in the season, reflecting the league’s stringent stance on player safety and tackling techniques. The recent loss has left the Panthers in a precarious position at the bottom of the league standings, further complicating their campaign.
As the team navigates this challenging period, Henry’s absence will be keenly felt as they strive to regain their footing in the competition.