St George Illawarra forward Teuila Fotu-Moala has been rubbed out for the remainder of the NRLW season after unsuccessfully seeking a downgrade for a crusher tackle on Tuesday night.
Fotu-Moala became the first player in NRLW history to be charged by the match review committee after attracting a grade two charge for a tackle on Broncos hooker Lavinia Gould in Sunday’s loss at Bankwest Stadium.
She pleaded guilty to the charge but sought a downgrade.
Looking relaxed and sporting a smile, Fotu-Moala sat alongside her representative team led by Daniel Thomas as NRL counsellor Peter McGrath noted her lack of awareness and recklessness in the tackle attempt.
Fotu-Moala’s team argued Gould’s head positioning of falling into the tackle had played a part.
But her bid failed and Fotu-Moala was suspended for three games. The judiciary panel consisted of Mal Cochrane, Sean Garlick and Tarsha Gale.
Match Highlights: Dragons v Broncos
Fotu-Moala declined to comment on the ruling as she left NRL headquarters.
Earlier Thomas had told the panel that "Gould had no small part in placing herself in a vulnerable position."
"That being her head under the arm," he said.
"It would be difficult to envisage ... a crusher tackle that posed a lesser degree of seriousness."
Fotu-Moala joined the Dragons this year after playing with the Broncos last season.
A spokesperson confirmed that Fotu-Moala can seek the approval of the NRL Judiciary Chairman to have any remaining games left over from a suspension in the NRLW to be served at international or club level.