Below is from the NRL live blog, in reverse chronological order: https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/04/20/live-nrl-judiciary---mitchell-radley-momirovski-plead-cases/
7.28pm: Verdict. The grade two offence has been upheld with
Momirovski receiving a penalty of 300 points (three matches).
7.20pm: Panel began deliberating at 7.05. No verdict yet.
7pm: Momirovski’s lawyer Nick Ghabar argues that Friend’s tackle was “far later” and “far more careless” despite being a grade one offence. He says Friend had plenty of time to pull out compared to Momirovski and there was a greater chance of injury.
“Player Momirovski’s tackle must therefore be graded a grade-one tackle,” he concludes.
Judiciary chairman Geoff Bellew is now giving his instructions to the panel.
6.50pm: Ghabar contends his client was far from careless during the tackle. He submits there was “deflected contact from Dearden having his arm up to protect himself” that resulted in the Panthers centre striking his opponent’s head.
“Unlike player Friend, who always has his arm above the ball and virtually in line with player Clune’s head,” Ghabar says. Momirovski was aiming to make a wrapping tackle and contact “wouldn’t have ended up as high without deflection".
Ghabar describes the incident as “cradling-like contact” that lacked “blunt force” and adds that Momirovski showed a level of care to help cushion Dearden’s fall and prevent his head from hitting the ground.
6.35pm: For comparison, footage is being played of a similar incident last year that resulted in retired Roosters hooker Jake Friend being charged with - and pleading guilty to - grade one dangerous contact to head/neck of Dragons halfback Adam Clune.
NRL counsel Peter McGrath suggests that one of the key differences between the cases is that Friend never left his feet to launch himself into the tackle. He says the degree of carelessness in Friend’s situation was much less as his arm was always horizontal instead of swinging upwards like Momirovski's.
In summary, McGrath says Friend was “certainly less careless” and thus Momirovski deserves a grade two.
6.20pm: McGrath, arguing the grading should stand, says the force in the tackle by Momirovski was “moderate” as he travelled “at speed” to pressure Broncos halfback Tom Dearden, who was kicking.
While conceding the initial chest and shoulder contact was OK, McGrath describes Momirovski’s conduct as very careless because he swung his left arm in an arc and struck Dearden’s face.
He says the Penrith centre “launched himself into the tackle” by leaving his feet and the result was an unacceptable but moderate risk of injury.
6.10pm: First hearing underway. Panthers centre Momirovski is appearing via video link with his representative Nick Ghabar at the judiciary in person.
Momirovski is challenging the grading of a grade two dangerous contact charge stemming from a high tackle on Brisbane half Dearden.
He’ll be free to face the Knights on Thursday night if successful but is risking a three-game ban.
Panelist Bob Lindner is also appearing by video link.
