Azkatro
First Grade
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Sydney Morning Herald said:<snip>
Stuart revealed Ricketson today would plead guilty to a grade-one strike on North Queensland's Nathan Fien. He was charged with grade-three.
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Roosters director Michael Conn and chief executive Brian Canavan will defend Ricketson at the tribunal tomorrow night. A grade-one finding would mean he would escape suspension.
Contacted last night, Ricketson said he had "nothing to say" about the charge but added: "Hopefully I'll have plenty to say on Wednesday night."
Stuart said: "Luke is devastated, as anyone would be in this situation. We are going to go in there and try and challenge the grading. We think it's a harsh grading.
"He did it - we're not denying that. It's more the fact that it's grade two or three. It's not a matter of going in and being aggressive or trying to prove anyone wrong, it's just a matter of trying to put our case as best we can."
Brad Fittler, who will retire after Sunday's match, revealed the memory of a tackle by the Warriors' Awen Guttenbeil on forward Ned Catic at Ericsson Stadium on August29 probably prompted Ricketson to lash out in defence of his captain.lol: - Az)
Five-eighth Fittler said of Fien: "Little cheeky blokes, they try to get away with everything and they normally do. It was good. We've . . . criticised ourselves in the past. It happened in Auckland when a bloke got a cheap shot on one of our blokes and no one did anything. That probably went through a few of the blokes' minds as that [Fien incident] happened."
Stuart used a punch thrown by Bulldog Willie Mason at the Cowboys' David Myles in a qualifying final as an example of why Ricketson should not have been charged. It is understood Mason was cleared because Myles had shaped up to him.
Stuart said Ricketson was "a guy that sticks up for his mates" and "the heart and soul of our side" while Fittler reckoned he was "a bloke you want to go to war with".
Stuart said: "We don't promote cheap shots or foul play but we do promote loyalty."
Stuart was concerned by Sunday's refereeing by Paul Simpkins; Tim Mander has been appointed to Sunday's match.
Well you better believe it folks, that's what they're going in with :lol: