Brisbane and the Dolphins are counting the cost of a fiery derby after Kiwi second-rower Jordan Riki and former Maroons forward Tom Gilbert were both charged by the match review committee.
Riki was slapped with a grade-two careless high tackle after the Broncos back-rower’s shoulder collected the head of Dolphins winger Jack Bostock in the 39th minute of the Battle of Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
Gilbert received the same grading for a similar offence for a shot on Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs in the 54th minute. The Dolphins were on Saturday still mulling over whether to fight the charge after losing 20-12 to a gritty Broncos outfit.
Riki was fortunate to stay on the field after Bostock went off for an HIA, which he passed, while Staggs was able to continue after Gilbert’s hit.
The Broncos will likely not risk a three-week suspension by fighting Riki’s charge. His place in the team for next Saturday night’s home clash with Wests Tigers will likely be taken by bench back-rower Brendan Piakura.
New Zealand international Riki had his best game of the season against the Dolphins where he ran for 150m, made a line break and five tackle busts, along with 33 tackles.
The Broncos have been able to select the same starting pack for the opening four rounds but will now be forced into an adjustment if they elect not to fight the charge.
Piakura has been playing off the bench in the opening four rounds and has had limited minutes.
He did put a cracking shot on Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth in the closing minutes of the derby to remind his former teammate of his wares.
The winless Dolphins can ill-afford to lose Gilbert who despite running out in the 13 jersey also spent time in the back-row. That allowed Max Plath to play in his preferred middle forward position where he will likely move to for next Saturday afternoon’s away clash with Gold Coast.
There were no charges from South Sydney’s win over the Panthers on Thursday night.
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