Calls are growing louder for a major review of the NRL judiciary system following the latest backflip on Sharks star Nicho Hynes, with Cameron Smith and Phil Gould joining the chorus of criticism.
Placed on report for an awkward tackle on Bulldogs winger Marcelo Montoya in Round 27, Hynes was originally set to face a one-match ban that would have ruled him out of Saturday night’s home elimination final against the Sydney Roosters.
However, amidst considerable outcry from fans, media and ex-players, the charge was ‘amended’ on Monday to a $1,000 fine after a revised medical report of Montoya’s injuries was provided to the NRL by the Bulldogs.
Commenting on 100% Footy on Channel Nine, Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould explained his club’s thinking.
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“It (providing the revised medical report) is only the right thing to do for the game,” Gould said, explaining everyone wants to see the NRL’s best players on the field during the finals.
“I don’t think he (Hynes) should have been charged in the first place, I thought it was an absolute accident.
“When we found out Sunday night that the X-ray wasn’t so bad and he (Montoya) was a chance of playing again in the finals, we made the decision to contact the Sharks.
“They went in straight away with the doctor’s letter to the NRL and they downgraded the charge so thankfully Nicho is playing on the weekend.”
While the general consensus in the rugby league community is the right outcome has been reached, the process to reach it has come under intense scrutiny.
‘It’s like a murder trial’
“I think it’s incredible that it’s happened,” Cameron Smith declared of the MRC’s decision to revise its decision based on a medical report.
“This opens a can of worms and I think we need to have a review of how the MRC make their charges—I don't think it should be based on injuries.”
“It’s not criminal law, we’re playing sport. Isn’t this the perfect opportunity now, because of this incident?”
Phil Gould agreed before dramatically likening the current process to a murder trial.
“Don’t start me on the match review committee, there has to be a review to the judiciary process, it’s like a murder trial down there,” Gould scoffed.
“It’s ridiculous and I don’t believe we should be needing lawyers to find out what commonsense is telling us about the charges and who needs to be suspended.”
Amended NRL MRC charges from Round 27 Saturday fixtures:
— Rugby League Central (@NRLMedia) September 8, 2025
The Match Review Committee remains satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to justify a charge for the offence of Dangerous Contact against Nicho Hynes.
When initially ascribing a grading to that offence, the MRC… pic.twitter.com/03h0DimzDQ