Manly winger Lehi Hopoate is facing a potential two-match ban for a collision with referee Grant Atkins during his side's match against the Wests Tigers. The incident occurred when Hopoate was chasing a bomb during the first half of the game, and he ran into the back of the referee, causing him to tumble to the ground. This led to a grade-two contrary conduct charge, with an early guilty plea resulting in a one-game suspension. If Hopoate contests the charge and loses, he could face a two-match ban. The Manly club is considering a downgrade request, arguing that the contact was accidental. However, this decision comes as a surprise, given that Brisbane hooker Cory Paix escaped a charge for a tackle that broke Manly forward Siosiua Taukeiaho's leg a week earlier. The match review committee also noted another incident involving Hopoate, where Tigers centre Patrick Herbert received a grade-two dangerous tackle charge for a head slam on the winger. Herbert will face a two-game suspension if he pleads guilty, or three games if the charge is upheld. This is another setback for the Tigers, who have been struggling with injuries and suspensions, conceding 142 points in the past three weeks. The Tigers also received a separate grade-one charge for a grapple tackle on Manly back-rower Ben Trbojevic, resulting in a $1800 fine. This incident highlights the challenges faced by the Tigers and the potential consequences for players involved in on-field incidents. The NRL match committee's decisions and the potential impact on player suspensions and team dynamics are crucial aspects of the game that require careful consideration and analysis.
