NRL judiciary hands down punishment for Canberra Raiders eye-gouger
The NRL judiciary has come down hard on Canberra player Hudson Young, rubbing him out of the rest of the season and the start of next year.
The Raiders forward was accused of twice trying to eye-gouge a player in a tackle during the Raider’s loss to the Warriors on Saturday.
Young pleaded not guilty at NRL headquarters last night but he has form in the area, having already served a five-match suspension for the same offence earlier in the year.
Coach Ricky Stuart insisted his player didn’t make any contact with the eyes, a point backed up by Warriors centre Adam Pompey, who gave supporting evidence via video-link.
The judiciary panel disagreed, with damning video footage leading to an eight-game ban.
The decision means Hudson Young will miss all of the Raiders’ finals games and the start of next season.
After the hearing, Young said he was “disappointed with their decision” but promised to “learn from it”.
JWH has been found NOT GUILTY at the #NRL Judiciary.
He will be available to play this Friday night against @SSFCRABBITOHS.
Follow the @NRLcom Live Blog here – https://t.co/jenqmnCPLw pic.twitter.com/hLsUnX62zU
— NRL (@NRL) September 10, 2019
It was a busy night at the judiciary, with Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves beating a careless high tackle charge, clearing him to face South Sydney on Friday.
Parramatta forward Kane Evans failed to have a similar charge downgraded and will miss Sunday’s elimination final against Brisbane.
Image: NRL