Broncos forward Brianna Clark has been offered a two-match suspension for a shoulder charge on Roosters centre Jessica Sergis during Brisbane’s 28-12 loss at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.
On Monday morning, the match review committee announced Clark’s offence had drawn a grade one charge, with an early plea carrying a two-game ban.
In the 64th minute of the match, Sergis took possession of a short goal-line dropout before spinning out of a tackle and running the ball inwards.
But on her way, Clark knocked her down in spectacular fashion.
The ball then spilled when Sergis tried to play it.
NRLW great Ruan Sims was stunned by the contact.
“That was a huge collision,” Sims said on Nine.
“That could be a shoulder charge, that’s close to a shoulder charge”.
While it initially looked like Clark had laid a solid but legal tackle, replays showed no wrapping of the arms.
A captain’s challenge of the on-field decision from the Roosters showed Clark turned side-on and made no attempt to wrap around Sergis.
The challenge was deemed successful and a penalty was awarded to the Roosters.
Fortunately, Sergis was unharmed in the incident and got straight to her feet.
“She was straight up. That was a statement in itself, Jess Sergis getting up straight away,” Allana Ferguson said on Nine.
If Clark chooses to challenge the verdict and is found guilty by the judiciary, she risks an additional week on the sidelines.
This is Clark’s second offence.
