A former Mate Ma'a Tonga player has received a three-game suspension after dropping an opponent with a punch to the head during a game last week.
Burleigh Bears hooker Pat Politoni was hit with the ban after he landed a right hook on Townsville halfback Michael Parker-Walshe's jaw during Sunday's Queensland Intrust Super Cup match.
"Politoni appeared before the judiciary at RLCQ, where he was found guilty of a striking charge, deemed to be 800 points (eight matches) by the panel," Queensland Rugby League said in a statement on Wednesday night after a two hour hearing.
"However, with reductions for an early guilty plea, seven incident-free years, as well as time served off the field (for the send-off), he receives 360 points, which equates to three games and 60 carry over points."
The incident happened after Politoni had already been sent to the bin for stopping a try-scoring opportunity from an offside position.
Parker-Walshe decided to congratulate Politoni on the dismissal with a pat on the head as he went to leave the field, but the gesture didn't go down well and Politoni turned around and landed a quick right hook.
The punch instantly floored Parker-Walshe, who was tended to by trainers as a brawl broke out nearby.
Townsville won the heated match 16-10 and Nine News reports Politoni approached Parker-Walshe in the sheds afterwards to apologise.
Politoni played four Tests for Mate Ma'a Tonga from 2013 to 2015 and has 16 NRL appearances to his name with the Tigers, Sharks and Titans.
The 28-year-old's last NRL game was for the Titans in 2017.
SHARE ME