Palmerston Raiders standout Tom Murphy with two week suspension after punching opposition player

PALMERSTON Raiders standout to be suspended for two weeks after punching an opposition player in NRL NT match against Brothers on Friday night

Former Sunshine Coast Falcons player Tom Murphy suspended for two weeks after throwing a punch in a match for Palmerston Raiders. Photo: Che Chapman

PALMERSTON Raiders standout to be suspended for two weeks after punching an opposition player in NRL NT match against Brothers on Friday night.

Raiders’ star recruit Tom Murphy was charged after an altercation with Brothers’ player Trent McCulloch in the 31st minute of their Round 7 NRL NT fixture.

McCulloch was also charged for a dangerous swinging arm which made contact with Murphy’s jaw in a late tackle.

In retaliation Murphy, a former Sunshine Coast Falcons player, got up and threw multiple, forceful punches making contact.

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Due to a two-year incident free record Murphy was initially charged with for four weeks, downgraded to two weeks when he made an early plea on Tuesday.

Murphy has played an important role in the Palmerston setup early this year giving 80 minute performances each week.

McCulloch was initially charged for one week but having also made an early guilty plea is free to play in Brothers’ next game against Sharks on Friday June 18.

Palmerston’s Will Smith was also charged for a reckless high tackle in the match Brothers won 24-22 but also made an early plea to see his charge downgraded to one week.

NRL NT general manager Nigel Roy said he was disappointed in the actions taking by players in the Palmerston game against Brothers.

“First of all NRL NT is disappointed in these players and the actions they chose to take both in the lead up to the event and in the event itself,” Roy said.

“Players taking matters into their own hands in the way that they did is not acceptable on the ground and will not be allowed.

“NRL NT works hard to make sure these incidents are dealt with harshly and we like to believe that we do so fairly and consistently.

“NRL NT has worked hard over the years to stamp these kind of incidents our game so that it can be enjoyed in the way that is should.

“We like to believe players in our game are leaders in our playing community and hope that those involved are disappointed in their actions when looking at them in hindsight.”

In B-grade Palmerston’ Liam Robertson was charged with a dangerous throw but is contesting the three week charge.