Thurston facing one-match ban
Jamie Pandaram
September 17, 2007
Crunch time . . . Jonathan Thurston faces one-match ban for this tackle on Wairangi Koopu.
Crunch time . . . Jonathan Thurston faces one-match ban for this tackle on Wairangi Koopu.
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* Cowboys crush Warriors
COWBOYS linchpin Johnathan Thurston faces a one-week suspension that could rule him out of Saturday's semi-final against Manly, virtually crippling North Queensland's chances for the premiership.
Thurston has been charged with a grade one dangerous throw on Warriors utility Wairangi Koopu, which occurred during yesterday's clash at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
The offence carries a base penalty of 125 points, but because of a previous striking charge Thurston has a 20 per cent loading - meaning that even with a 25 per cent discount for an early guilty plea he will still be suspended for one match.
Thurston had 93 carryover points from the striking charge last season but the carryover points expire after 12 months whereas the loading from previous offences applies for two years.
An early guilty plea is worth 112 demerit points whereas the offence will be worth 150 points if Thurston unsuccesfully challenges it at Wednesday night's tribunal (100 points equals a one-game ban).
The most influential and important player at the Cowboys, Thurston is likely to contest the charge due to the significance of Saturday's match, which will give the winner a place in the grand final.
Without Thurston, the Cowboys would be at long odds to defeat Manly.
After yesterday's 49-12 hammering of the Warriors, in which he was instrumental, Thurston admitted he was worried about the possibility of being charged.
The tackle occurred in the fourth minute - Thurston lifted Koopu and drove him sideways, and in the process the Warrior fell awkwardly to the turf.
The Cowboys must inform the NRL of Thurston's intention - either to plead guilty or fight the charge - by noon tomorrow.
The Cowboys playmaker capped a brilliant season when he was named Dally M player of the year for the second time earlier this month, and his loss could prove to be an almost fatal blow to the Cowboys' premiership hopes.
Warriors forward Epalahame Lauaki was also charged following yesterday's match, but he will escape a ban by pleading guilty to a grapple tackle.
with AAP
:lol: :lol: Must have been my email to the BsB, that got him charged