The NRL Match Review Committee has handed down its final judiciary findings of the 2025 season, with four players charged following Sunday night’s Grand Final between the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm.
Broncos star Reece Walsh headlines the list after being cited for a Grade 1 careless high tackle on former teammate Xavier Coates in the 20th minute. Due to it being his third and subsequent offence within three years, Walsh has received a $3,000 fine and a two-match suspension, ruling him out of the opening rounds of the 2026 NRL season.
Storm forward Trent Loiero, who was charged during the preliminary final, found himself in trouble again — this time for a Grade 2 careless high tackle on Brendan Piakura late in the match. Loiero’s second offence attracts a two-match ban with an early guilty plea, meaning he’ll also miss the start of next year.
Meanwhile, Jahrome Hughes (Storm) and Brendan Piakura (Broncos) have both received fines for minor Grade 1 offences, with no suspensions incurred.
NRL Grand Final Judiciary Charges
PlayerDate of OffenceRoundClubMinuteCharge / IncidentGradeRecordEarly PleaGuilty at PanelMisconduct On WhomReece Walsh5/10/2025GFBroncos20thHigh Tackle – Careless13rd & Subsequent Offence$3,0002Xavier CoatesJahrome Hughes5/10/2025GFStorm28thHigh Tackle – Careless11st Offence$1,0000Brendan PiakuraBrendan Piakura5/10/2025GFBroncos77thDangerous Contact12nd Offence$1,8000Ryan PapenhuyzenTrent Loiero5/10/2025GFStorm78thHigh Tackle – Careless22nd Offence02Brendan Piakura