Dolphins’ Josh Kerr gets a week for hip-drop tackle

Jasper Bruce | August 27, 2023

Mid-season recruit Josh Kerr is set to miss the Dolphins’ last game of the season after receiving a one-game ban for his hip-drop tackle on North Queensland winger Murray Taulagi.

For his shot, which took place in the first half of the Cowboys’ 34-10 win on Friday night, the forward was sent to the sin bin and received a grade-two dangerous contact charge on Saturday morning.

Taulagi managed to play the rest of the game despite being brought down in an awkward position and initially appearing to be in pain.

Kerr will sit out the Dolphins’ round-27 game against the Warriors if he takes the early guilty plea but risks missing their first game of 2024 by taking his case to the judiciary.

Kerr becomes the latest Dolphins player sidelined in an inaugural season that has featured extensive player unavailabilities which contributed to the side missing finals.

Key forward Tom Gilbert has not played since suffering a serious shoulder injury in the State of Origin series opener, starting halfback Sean O’Sullivan missed three months with a pectoral injury and Felise Kaufusi has spent a total of seven games suspended.

Kerr joined the Dolphins from St George Illawarra following the joint venture’s coaching upheaval this season and is contracted with his new side through to 2025.