Raiders star Nick Cotric charged for ugly tackle on Tim Lafai

Facing a four-match ban at the NRL judiciary, Nick Cotric has defended his tackle on Tim Lafai, saying any harm was unintentional. Did the NRL get the charge right? VOTE IN OUR POLL

Nick Cotric was sent off for this tackle on Tim Lafai. Picture: Getty Images

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Canberra star Nick Cotric says he is relieved Tim Lafai wasn’t hurt by the controversial tackle that resulted in his send-off, declaring he would “never intentionally hurt an opponent”.

Cotric is facing a four-match ban after being charged with a grade three dangerous throw on St George Illawarra centre Lafai.

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Telegraph, Cotric said: “It’s not part of my game, it’s not part of my character.”

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart and club officials will decide this morning whether to contest Cotric’s charge at Tuesday night’s judiciary hearing.

He will be suspended for three games if he makes an early guilty plea but four matches if he fights the charge and loses.

“I would never intentionally hurt an opponent,’’ Cotric said. “It’s not what I stand for or what our club stands for.

“I can’t say anything about the actual incident because the club has not yet lodged a plea but you could see I was off balance and slipped as well, which resulted in my own head hitting the ground.

“I will say it was unintentional. Anyone who has seen me play knows that I’m a clean player. I have been brought up to respect the game and the rules.

“Maybe my technique could have been better and it’s something I can work on with Ricky.”

Nick Cotric was sent off for this tackle on Tim Lafai. Picture: Getty Images

Cotric received a 500-point base penalty which was reduced by 21 because his was sent off — one point for every minute he was off the field.

That dragged Cotric’s base penalty back to 479 points, which will incur a four-match suspension if he is found guilty.

The Raiders are strongly considering an attempt to clear Cotric’s name at the judiciary and have until midday Tuesday to decide.

“I would never want to hurt anyone,” Cotric said.

“Ricky has been really supportive through this and I’m just grateful Tim is fine. I will support whatever decision the club makes.

“We are building something special this year and I want to play my part and be a player my teammates want to play alongside.”

Cotric is adamant he didn’t set out to make a bad tackle. Image: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

South Sydney’s Peter Driscoll was the last NRL player sent off for a dangerous tackle, in 1995.

NRL head of football Graham Annesley would not comment on the send-off because the matter could go before the judiciary.

However, sources claim NRL officials have privately backed referee Ashley Klein’s decision to dismiss Cotric.

Lafai played on after the tackle and will be available for St George Illawarra’s match against Penrith on Friday night.

He was not taken for a concussion test and even completed doing a Fox Sports interview after the game.

Lafai’s teammates react after the incident. Image: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“You’ve got to give credit to Tim for getting back up,” Dragons prop James Graham said on Monday.

“It would have been an easy decision to stay down and try to milk it. He didn’t.

“What has been made of it, whether it was a send-off, where the game is going with it all, all I can say is credit to Tim for getting straight back up and not making the situation any worse.”

Cotric is waiting on his club’s decision. Image: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Souths Sydney forwards Cameron Murray and Liam Knight have taken early pleas over separate incidents in the one-point win against Manly.

Murray faced a grade one dangerous contact head/neck charge but won’t miss a match because he has no loading and entered the early plea.

Knight will be suspended for two games after making dangerous contract with Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans.

Sydney Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will plead not guilty to a dangerous contract charge from the loss to North Queensland and face the judiciary tonight.

His teammate Victor Radley has taken an early plea for his dangerous contact charge and will escape a ban.

Originally published as Raiders star Nick Cotric charged for ugly tackle on Tim Lafai