Dragons deliberating whether or not they challenge late tackle charge against star fullback

NIGHTCLIFF Dragons are deliberating whether or not they challenge a high tackle charge that could see their star fullback on the sidelines for up to seven games

Star Nightcliff Dragons’ fullback David Tabaui facing charges for high tackle. Picture: Che Chorley

NIGHTCLIFF Dragons are deliberating whether or not they challenge a high tackle charge that could see star fullback David Tabaui on the sidelines for up to seven games.

Tabaui was charged for high contact on Brothers fullback Isaac Seden-Kurnoth in the 43rd minute in their round 9 NRL NT encounter.

In the lead up to the play Nightcliff’s Jone Vakacegu makes a 50m line break but the ball is passed off target resulting in Brothers gaining the ball deep in their own territory.

Seden-Kurnoth passes the ball and looks to make a run when Vakacegu makes a tackle around his legs.

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It is then that Tabaui made what was deemed as a high and forceful tackle connecting with Seden-Kurnoth’s jaw, resulting in just a penalty for Brothers at the time.

The tackle was judged as intentional high grade by the NRL NT match review committee which is the highest charge for a high tackle resulting in a seven week base penalty.

An early guily plea would have seen Tabaui suspended for five matches, including the Deadly Cup, however the club is yet to chose whether to contest the charge.

The Dragons currently sit four competition points clear on top of the A-grade table with Tabaui having played an important role in the backline in their recent success.

A decision on the appeal is expected by the weekend with Tabaui set to play for the Indigenous All Stars on Sunday.

Meanwhile, in the Central Australian competition it was Reeve Hohn of Wests Dragons who faced charges for striking and detrimental conduct in the round 4 game against Central Bulls.

Hohn was charged with throwing and connecting punches against a Bulls player in the 51st minute of the match.

Punches were allegedly thrown on at least four occasions until team members attempted to break the two players apart.

The Bulls player was sent off the field to spend 10 minutes in the sin bin while Hohn was sent off for the remainder of the match.

The base penalty for the charge is a seven week suspension however with a clean two year record and an early guilty plea Hohn settled for a three game penalty.