Grading looks to be on the same level as ever.. Following the weekend’s warm-up fixtures, the Match Review Panel have issued three charges: Elliott Miller (Whitehaven) – Grade D contact with Match Official in the 8th minute of game against Keighley Cougars 15/01/17 (EGP not available) George Tyson (Oldham) – Grade D Punching after final whistle of the game against Rochdale Hornets 22/01/17 (EGP not available) Manase Manuokafoa (Widnes Vikings) – Grade C dangerous contact on Matty Smith in the 39th minute of the game against St Helens 22/01/17 (EGP withdrawn due to injury caused) All three players will face an independent On Field Operational Rules Tribunal on Tuesday, January 31. www.rugby-league.com/article/392 ... rs-charged

Grading looks to be on the same level as ever.. Following the weekend’s warm-up fixtures, the Match Review Panel have issued three charges: Elliott Miller (Whitehaven) – Grade D contact with Match Official in the 8th minute of game against Keighley Cougars 15/01/17 (EGP not available) George Tyson (Oldham) – Grade D Punching after final whistle of the game against Rochdale Hornets 22/01/17 (EGP not available) Manase Manuokafoa (Widnes Vikings) – Grade C dangerous contact on Matty Smith in the 39th minute of the game against St Helens 22/01/17 (EGP withdrawn due to injury caused) All three players will face an independent On Field Operational Rules Tribunal on Tuesday, January 31. www.rugby-league.com/article/392 ... rs-charged

So are the RFL deciding punishment level based on outcome only not intent just as referees do most weekends, madness!

All highlighted in the procedures. Club and player are issued with letter setting out the charge which the review panel have set. So RFL are stating what potentially being charged with so clarity about the charge and the seriousness of the incident in the Panels view. How do you defend yourself if you don't know what your being accused of.

Is the grey area..

If the players played by the rules the disciplinary panel wouldn't be needed, but they won't so they are needed.
Some of this isn't that difficult but.....

Worth pointing out that the RFL have refused to allow Manuokafoa to use his EGP because of the severity of the incident (or words to that effect).
Is this a new thing? Can't remember that ever happening before now...

Not sure,I thought EGP's could be used for grade offences A-C.Would have thought Grade D should have been given to show clarity of the rules.

Not sure on the EPG thing, but didn't the RFL upgrade a player's charge last year (John Boudebza?) based on the severity of the injury sustained by the player?

Yeah I think you're right. Seems a bit odd in this case though in that the grading hasn't changed but the EGP can't be used. Presumably Manuokafoa will still have it available next time he's up on a charge?

Yes first game of the season against Cas. Was a challenge you'll see plenty of times per game but because certain individuals made a big deal of it, the book was thrown. However, lots of similar challenges were brought before the RFL and not punished. This was confirmed by Jamie Peacock who sat with someone from the RFL to look at the Boudebza challenge after the ruling. He showed them other challenges (I think one by Brough iirc) and pointed out the similarities to the Boudebza challenge which they agreed with then asked them why one was punished and one wasn't. There answer was that they got it wrong. A bit late after the event. There is a fundamental issue with the Disciplinary process. There needs to be a strict policy and guidelines with no allowance for mitigating circumstances(injuries etc..)

O Loughlin used his after he put Annakin out for the season.
Mind you, he only served 1 game so, they may as well have told him to do as he pleased.

Manuokafoa - 2 game ban, probably reduced because of an impeccable previous record and remorse
Tyson - 4 game ban
Miller - 3 games

Not seen the tackle, but given the comments made about it and the injury it caused, 2 games seems incredibly soft.