NRL Finals Early Mail: Sebastian Kris enters guilty plea to dangerous throw charge

Sebastian Kris’ season is over after entering an early guilty plea to a dangerous throw for his spear tackle on Cronulla’s Sione Katoa.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 27: Kalyn Ponga of the Knights reacts as he receives treatment during the round 26 NRL match. between Newcastle Knights and Cronulla Sharks at McDonald Jones Stadium on August 27, 2023 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Canberra centre Sebastian Kris will miss the entirety of the finals series after the Raiders confirmed he would enter an early guilty plea to a dangerous throw for his spear tackle on Cronulla’s Sione Katoa on Sunday.

Kris was hit with a grade three charge for the tackle and the club immediately confirmed he would plead guilty, sidelining him for five matches.

The Raiders face the Knights in an elimination final in Newcastle on Sunday and Kris’ suspension opens the door for coach Ricky Stuart to possibly recall veteran centre Jarrod Croker for the clash.

The spear tackle in question.

Grant Atkins sends Sebastian Kris off. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty

SHARK’S NERVOUS WAIT

Sharks fullback Connor Tracey is racing the clock to be fit for Saturday’s elimination final against the Roosters after he came off with a knee injury in Cronulla’s crucial 24-6 win over the Raiders.

Tracey left PointsBet Stadium in a knee brace after he jammed his left leg and was forced from the field with 10 minutes to go.

The Sharks will wait for scan results on Monday morning before they figure out just how serious the damage is, with the club set to turn to Italian international Daniel Atkinson who has played a grand total of two minutes this season.

“I’m a bit banged up and have a bit going on, but hopefully it’s nothing too serious,” Tracey said after a 10-minute consultation with the team doctor.

“I got a few corks and then I sprained my knee a bit when it got caught a bit awkwardly, but hopefully it’s not too bad.

Shark fullback Connor Tracey will have scans on his knee. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty

“The doctor has said it’s a little sprain of the joint, but fingers crossed it’s not too bad.”

Tracey has endured a wretched run of injuries, with the speedster suffering three ACL tears before establishing himself as a genuine first-grader.

He has been a key cog in their late-season revival having come into the side for Will Kennedy who tore his hamstring against Penrith and is said to still be a couple of weeks away.

“It would be (a blow) if I’m out, but we’ll get the scan first and then we can think about that,” he replied when asked how disappointed he’d be to miss the finals.

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Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon is unlikely to shift Dally M medallist Nicho Hynes to fullback if Tracey is ruled out, while veteran Matt Moylan is also reportedly behind Atkinson in the pecking order.

“At this stage, they weren’t thinking that it was his ACL or his medial, but it’s jammed up so it could be something or it could be nothing,” he said.

“We’ll hang by and see how Connor is (before we think about a replacement).”

KNIGHTS’ FINALS MEGA BOOST

Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien is confident star duo Kalyn Ponga and Jackson Hastings will be passed fit to play in their home final next week.

The pair are racing the clock to return to the field as Ponga nurses a serious shoulder injury while Hastings is still sidelined with an ankle complaint.

They didn’t play against the Dragons on Saturday but O’Brien was optimistic they would return in time to play in their elimination match.

“I’m confident on both (playing),” O’Brien said after the victory over St George Illawarra.

“The only thing I do know is we’re playing at home next week. I don’t know who we’re playing or who’s going to be in the team.

“But looking at them when we left, I was quite confident they’ll be a part of it.”

Jackson Hastings hasn’t played since Round 24, but is expected to be fit for the finals. Picture: NRL PHOTOS

Newcastle were also without Kurt Mann, Tyson Frizell, Phoenix Crossland, Dane Gagai and Leo Thompson in the 20-point defeat of the Dragons.

“Kalyn is getting better and better,” O’Brien said.

“There is more movement there and it is freeing him up a little bit. It’s a day to day injury.

“The medical team and physios are working around the clock. He has a determined look in his eyes that nothing will hold him out of the finals. When you have that, that plays a big part in your recovery.

“Jackson is much the same. There are days there where it really improves. Then you try and get some training in and it will be sore for a couple of days.

Knights fans are sweating on the fitness of Kalyn Ponga. Picture: Getty

“We won’t know on both of those guys to the middle to late point of next week but both of them are doing everything they can. We want them to be part of the game so we are giving them every chance.

“I am confident they will play.”

Hastings has not played since round 24 after aggravating an old injury. Ponga came from the field in Newcastle’s win against Cronulla last week with a high grade AC joint complaint. The fullback needs time to recover.

It is a matter of pain management for Ponga and if his shoulder can withstand contact. O’Brien said the team could find a way even without the competition’s in-form player.

“We’re going to have to,” O’Brien said. “If we don’t have the mindset – this is not being disrespectful to Kalyn but if we don’t believe that we shouldn’t take part in the game.”

Originally published as NRL Finals Early Mail: Sebastian Kris enters guilty plea to dangerous throw charge