Knights firebrand learns fate over bizarre tunnel altercation

The NRL match review committee has released its findings into a bizarre tunnel altercation, with the two players involved charged.

Reed Mahoney and Jack Hetherington have been charged.

Knights firebrand Jack Hetherington and Reed Mahoney have both been charged for their altercation in the Accor Stadium tunnel on Sunday afternoon, with the Newcastle forward set to serve a one-match ban if he takes the early guilty plea.

The pair were both sent to the sin bin by referee Peter Gough in the final few minutes of Canterbury’s win as he attempted to simmer things down following several incidents where players from both sides rushed in for a bit of push and shove.

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But that only escalated things, with Hetherington waiting for Mahoney in the tunnel and appearing to shape up before he was dragged away by Bulldogs officials to prevent anything more sinister from happening.

Hetherington has a lengthy rap sheet and was hit with a grade 2 contrary conduct charge for his behaviour on and off the field, while Mahoney can accept a $1000 fine for his grade 1 charge if he takes the early guilty plea.

Reed Mahoney and Jack Hetherington have been charged.

“I have heard some stuff in there,” Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo said after the game.

“I don’t think it is too serious. Jack is a good fella – I have known Jack for a long time. He is a good guy.

“Sometimes he gets emotional but he is a genuinely good person. I don’t think there was much in it. It is done now.”

Meanwhile, Bulldogs halfback Drew Hutchison is the latest player to be charged for tripping just days after Roosters skipper James Tedesco was also hit with a grade 1 offence.

Hutchison can accept a $750 fine with an early guilty plea, with the Bulldogs to enjoy the bye this week after their comprehensive win at home.

Originally published as Knights firebrand learns fate over bizarre tunnel altercation