Toafofoa Sipley has been referred straight to the judiciary after being accused of a hip-drop tackle during Manly's 20-18 loss to St George Illawarra.
It was initially believed Sipley had committed a high tackle on Dragons winger Mat Feagai. However, upon closer inspection from the Bunker, referee Peter Gough called the 30-year-old over and sent him to the sin-bin for dangerous contact on the leg.
Penrith hooker Mitch Kenny and Eels enforcer Kelma Tuilagi, meanwhile, are set for a couple of weeks on the sideline.
Ryan Papenhuyzen and Viliame Kikau have also landed themselves in hot water.
MORE: NRL salary cap exemptions for PNG players, explained
Eels vs. Tigers: Kelma Tuilagi hit with suspension
Parramatta forward Kelma Tuilagi is set for a few weeks away from the game.
The 26-year-old has been handed a three-match suspension (with an early guilty plea) for a shoulder charge on Terrell May.
He could miss four weeks if he unsuccessfully challenges the Grade Two charge.
Tuilagi was initially unpunished for the hit on Monday afternoon, but was later placed on report.
Eels teammate Mitchell Moses picked up a fine for a high tackle, while Tigers winger Sunia Turuva was fined for his moment of madness that saw him fling Ryley Smith to the ground.
Panthers vs. Roosters: Mitch Kenny accepts ban
Mitch Kenny will spend some time on the sideline following his tackle on Nat Butcher.
The Penrith dummy-half collected the Roosters prop around his legs before bringing him to the ground somewhat awkwardly. No penalty was awarded at the time.
However, Kenny has since accepted a two-match ban for the incident, after being hit with a Grade 2 dangerous contact charge.
Elsewhere, Naufahu Whyte was charged for his high tackle on Lindsay Smith but will only need to pay a $1,000 fine with an early plea.
Dolphins vs. Storm: Ryan Papenhuyzen charged
Melbourne capitulated in spectacular fashion against the Dolphins as Kristian Woolf's side ran riot at Suncorp to record a 42-22 win.
Amid the onslaught, Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen was placed on report in the dying stages for dangerous contact on Jake Averillo.
The fullback has since pleaded not guilty as he looks to dodge a $1,000 fine
Bulldogs vs. Rabbitohs: Viliame Kikau cited for high shot
Canterbury backrower Viliame Kikau return to the side this week after recovering from a knee injury against South Sydney.
It didn't take him long to get into trouble though, with the Fijian put on report for a high tackle on Campbell Graham in the first half.
He will be able to escape with a $1,800 fine for the foul play if he enters an early guilty plea for the charge.
Sea Eagles vs. Dragons: Olakau'atu, Brooks cleared; Tof Sipley referred
Luke Brooks and Haumole Olakau'atu were put on report during the Sea Eagles' third loss in a row with the latter dishing out his illegal shot in the final seconds of the clash. But it is Sipley that has come under the most scrutiny from the MRC.
"It’s not a classic hip-drop," Kevin Walters said on Fox League after watching a replay of the incident while Sipley trudged off the field. "Actually, I don’t know, I’m going to stay out of it."
"The more you look at it, the more you start to question it," Warren Smith added.
Toafofoa Sipley was sent to the sin bin for this incident that saw Mathew Feagai leave the field.
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) April 17, 2025
📺 Watch #NRLManlyDragons on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/pCuscyfpfa
✍️ BLOG https://t.co/qrvl0PYt7X
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/vvIU0zzKDr pic.twitter.com/m1XkWPzSJj
Feagai stayed down for a considerable period of time following the tackle, while the trainers attended to him on the turf.
He clutched at his ankle and had to eventually be helped from the field while being unable to apply any weight onto his foot. As a result of the foul play, Sione Finau was allowed to be activated as the 18th man.
Sipley was sent to the bin with 28 minutes remaining on the clock and the Sea Eagles trailing 14-6, although the home side slotted a penalty goal over from in front of the posts to reduce the deficit.
Ben Trbojevic then crossed moments later after some brilliant work in the lead-up by Lehi Hopoate to leave the scores level.
Yet Sipley’s absence was finally punished with Jacob Liddle crashing over to regain the lead, which the Dragons managed to hold onto despite some nervy moments in the home stretch.
Sipley has pleaded guilty ahead of his Judiciary hearing.
Brooks and Olakau'atu have escaped sanction.
Full Round 7 NRL Judiciary charge list, results
| Player | Team | Charge | Opponent | Early plea | Guilty at panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelma Tuilagi | Eels | Shoulder Charge (Grade 2) | Terrell May | 3 matches | 4 matches |
| Sunia Turuva | Tigers | Contrary Conduct (Grade 1) | Ryley Smith | $1,800 | $2,500 |
| Mitchell Moses | Eels | High Tackle - Careless (Grade 1) | Luke Laulilii | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| Cameron McInnes | Sharks | Dangerous Contact (Grade 1) | Greg Marzhew | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| James Schiller | Knights | High Tackle - Careless (Grade 1) | Mawene Hiroti | $1,000 | |
| Teig Wilton | Sharks | Dangerous Contact (Grade 1) | Tyson Gamble | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| Klese Haas | Titans | High Tackle - Careless (Grade 1) | Zac Hosking | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| Billy Walters | Broncos | Crusher Tackle | Ali Leiataua | $1,000 | |
| Mitch Kenny | Panthers | Dangerous Contact (Grade 2) | Nat Butcher | 2 matches | |
| Naufahu Whyte | Roosters | High Tackle - Careless (Grade 1) | Lindsay Smith | $1,000 | |
| Ryan Papenhuyzen | Storm | Dangerous Contact (Grade 1) | Jake Averillo | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| Tui Kamikamica | Storm | High Tackle - Careless (Grade 1) | Herbie Farnworth | $1,800 | |
| Davvy Moale | Rabbitohs | Dangerous Contact (Grade 1) | Viliame Kikau | $1,000 | |
| Viliame Kikau | Bulldogs | High Tackle - Careless (Grade 1) | Campbell Graham | $1,800 | |
| Tof Sipley | Sea Eagles | Dangerous Contact (referred) | Mat Feagai | N/A | N/A |