Lam gets 24 weeks

LAE Tigers player Mose Lam has been suspended for 24 weeks by the PNG National Rugby League judiciary for assaulting a Gurias player in a Week 13 Digicel Cup match in Lae.
Lam is the third Lae player slapped with a severe penalty. Teammates Jerry Kutz and George Moni were given 18-week suspensions for attacking match officials and Enga Mioks players in the Week 12 match in the Morobe capital.
Lam was cited by the competition match observer for deliberately kicking a Gurias player on the ground during his team’s 14-28 loss.
The decision to suspend Lam was made on Saturday by former Kumul winger Arnold Krewanty, who heads the PNGNRL judiciary, after receiving incident reports from the match observer and both teams, while video evidence was submitted yesterday for consideration.
At the same judiciary meeting, Tigers management lodged an appeal to have Kutz and Moni’s suspensions downgraded, saying the penalty imposed was excessive.
A decision on the appeal will be made by the PNGNRL judiciary tomorrow in Port Moresby.

The Tigers have continued their poor form this season, having finished second last in 2011 and occupy the same position on the ladder after 14 weeks of competition.
The underperforming Lae team, sponsored by the Lae Biscuit Company through its Snax brand, has failed to make an impression this year despite a new-look, a re-jigged player roster, increased sponsorship funding, promotions and a revamped management team.
PNGNRL general manager Hubert Warupi said no action would be taken against SBSL Mendi Muruks and TNA Simbu Lions players for a flare up that happened in Lae in Week 13 in the match before the Tigers-Gurias clash.
Warupi said the PNGNRL, on the recomendations of the match observer deemed the on-field penalties taken by the referee as adequate.
He said all players and teams penalised by the PNGNRL had had their match payments cancelled for the duration of the suspensions and sanctions.