Rugby balls lying on the ground during a training session.
IN PHOTO: Rubgy balls and training bibs are seen during a training session as part of the project "Playing for Peace", in Benghazi January 10, 2015. "Playing for Peace" project has the objective of developing players of different age groups. Picture taken January 10, 2015. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori

The Bulldogs have confirmed that all four players hit with various charges by the match review committee for their behaviour in the match against South Sydney have entered early guilty pleas. The players include captain James Graham, Sam Kasiano, David Klemmer and Michael Lichaa.

The Bulldogs lost the game 17-18, and were incensed at some of the refereeing decisions. James Graham had been charged with a grade two dangerous contact on Sydney’s Adam Reynolds. Reynolds may miss the next five months with the knee injury sustained in the clash. He was also charged with contrary conduct for aggressive behaviour towards referee Gerrard Sutton. David Klemmer, meanwhile, was charged with showing dissent. Sam Kasiano for a hit on Isaac Luke, and Michael Lichaa accused of abusing referee Sutton.

Graham will now miss a total of four weeks as punishment. Klemmer will miss three weeks while Casiano will miss two. Lichaa avoided a one game suspension with early guilty plea.

“Referees are to be respected at all times and it is clear that the NRL have drawn a new line in the sand in relation to player engagement with Match Officials. James, David and Michael will emerge from this experience as better players and better leaders”, Bulldogs chief executive Raelene Castle said in a statement on the Bulldogs website.

The suspensions couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Bulldogs, who are already struggling with injuries. Winger Brett Morris is potentially out for the next three months with a hamstring injury, while Tim Lafai could miss the next two months with a ligament tear in his knee.

The Bulldogs will still face further action from the NRL for the behaviour of their fans towards the end of the game last Friday. The fans, incensed by the late game penalty awarded to South Sydney, threw water bottles at the referee and match officials. Interchange official Darren Alchin had to be taken to hospital after being struck by an object in the ruckus after the match.

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