Papenhuyzen sanctioned by NRL for ugly hip drop
UPDATE: Ryan Papenhuyzen has avoided a ban following Melbourne’s narrow 16-14 win over the Bulldogs on Friday night, with the star fullback placed on report for a hip-drop and sent to the sin-bin for separate incidents.
Late in the opening half, the 25-year-old was cited for an ugly challenge on Bulldogs star Josh Addo-Carr, but avoided any time in the sheds for the tackle.
Speaking on Fox League at half-time, former Bulldogs star Michael Ennis admitting the No.1 could be dealt with a sanction from the match review committee.
“It’s so hard, he’s coming across … there is no malice in that at all,” Ennis said.
”But it was tipped in from the bunker… and there might be some questions for Ryan Papenhuyzen which will be disappointing for Melbourne.
“He just swings around, loses his legs, lands on the back of his leg – it’s a hip drop.”
The decision from the officials to leave Papenhuyzen on the field was questioned by the panel, with former Bulldogs captain James Graham recalling the controversial send-off for Roosters star Victor Radley last week.
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