Nutley slapped with a two-match
ban

Sharks forward Danny Nutley has been suspended for two matches following a guilty verdict for a grade one dangerous throw at last night's judiciary hearing.

He will miss games against Manly this week at Brookvale Oval and next Saturday's showdown at Parramatta Stadium against the Eels. It's a big blow for the Sharks who have suffered the loss of captain and halfback Brett Kimmorley for this week's game. He took an early guilty plea for a careless high tackle yesterday.

Lawyers for Cronulla argued that Nutley's team-mate Keith Galloway was chiefly responsible for lifting in the tackle, which saw Penrith hooker Luke Priddis swivelled about past a horizontal position and then sort of dropper lightly on his head. It was certainly a dubious type of tackle, but most observers were unconvinced that it deserved a two week spell.

It brings to an end Nutley's streak of 76 consecutive first grade games for Cronulla. Coach Stuart Raper says it's a huge blow for the Sharks, but they remain confident ahead of Sunday's game.