Tripping out: Hayes cops ban for Reynolds trip, as Crichton escapes again

Forget hip drops.

No less than three players have been slapped with separate tripping charges following Brisbane’s 32-12 win over the Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium.

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While Harry Hayes, Ezra Mam and Stephen Crichton were all charged with tripping offences in the same match, only Hayes is facing time on the sidelines.

The Bulldogs reserve forward was sent to the sin bin following an obvious trip on Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds in the 29th minute. 

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The incident earned Hayes a grade two classification from the NRL Match Review Committee and a one-week ban with an early plea, or two weeks if found guilty at the NRL judiciary.

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Somewhat controversially Crichton and Mam both escaped with grade one classifications from the MRC for their trips and will receive fines of just $1,000 each with early guilty pleas.

The seemingly lenient treatment of Canterbury captain Crichton who visibly extended his left leg in an attempt to stop rampaging Broncos forward Xavier Willison (unsuccessfully it must be said) in the closing minutes of the match was particularly contentious.

The decision to ban Hayes but only issue Crichton with a fine has once again triggered calls from fans that the star Bulldogs centre is a ‘protected species’ with social media currently alive with accusations of preferable treatment from the NRL.

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NRL MRC charges from Round 8 Friday fixtures pic.twitter.com/iuTGq8PFJb

— Rugby League Central (@NRLMedia) April 25, 2026