Penrith punish rusty Roosters
14 hours ago | Aidan Edgecomb
Sydney Roosters prop forward Mark O'Meley has been cleared to play in Friday night's National Rugby League qualifying final against Brisbane Broncos after pleading guilty to a high tackle charge.
O'Meley received only a grade one careless high tackle from the Match Review Committee (MRC) following a high shot on St George Illawarra prop Jason Ryles last Friday night.
The 95 carryover points meant that O'Meley would escape suspension by not challenging the charge. If the Roosters fought the charge and lost, a one match suspension would follow. The Roosters had no hesitation in entering an early guilty plea.
From the same match, Roosters utility Setimaita Sa was placed under scrutiny after putting a heavy hit on Dragons backrower Ben Creagh in an off-the-ball incident.
The MRC also viewed footage where Brisbane Broncos hooker Michael Ennis was accused of a "prowler" tackle on Newcastle Knight's Kurt Gidley.
Both incidents were widely criticised but no charges were laid.
In other news, Matthew Elliott has avoided being sacked after the Penrith Panthers board voted to retain the embattled coach for at least one more season. Elliott will now remain in the job for 2009, the final season of his three-year contract with the club.