Cronulla’s spine is facing a further potential shake up with Will Kennedy facing a bizarre ban for colliding with referee Adam Gee. Kennedy was on Saturday slapped with a grade-two contrary conduct charge, after running into Gee while looming up in support play early in the big win over Wests Tigers. After Kayal Iro made a break down field, Kennedy attempted to sprint up in support play before being obstructed by Gee after the referee stopped on the spot.
Jahrome Hughes also copped a one-match ban for pushing over referee Chris Butler in March, as he scurried to make a try-saving tackle. Kennedy’s contact was by far the most forceful, knocking over Gee, but a question remains over whether it was intentional or just merely accidental. Kennedy will miss Cronulla’s round-21 clash with North Queensland if he accepts the ban, and would risk a second game out if he fights it at the judiciary and loses.