Walsh free to play, a punching ban and facial fractures - the grand final fallout

3 hours ago 2

Clive Churchill medallist Reece Walsh will be free to make his Kangaroos debut after dodging a grand final ban.

Walsh’s post-decider relief came as Roosters NRLW back-rower Aliyah Nasio was referred directly to the judiciary for striking following a brawl that saw her and Broncos star Julia Robinson trade punches shortly after full-time.

Walsh can avoid a two-game ban for his first-half high shot on Xavier Coates - which was deemed a grade 1 careless high tackle given the Storm winger was falling into contact - with a $3000 fine and an early guilty plea.

The Broncos No.1 was named in Australia’s Ashes touring party on Monday and is expected to pip Dylan Edwards as the Kangaroos first-choice fullback.

Melbourne lock Trent Loiero is facing a 2-3 game ban for his grade 2 careless high tackle on Brendan Piakura, which saw the Storm forward sin-binned in the dying stages of Brisbane’s 26-22 triumph.

Piakura ($1800) and Jahrome Hughes ($1000) will both avoid missing any game time for low-grade incidents in the decider.

Aliyah Nasio has been referred direct to the judiciary for punching Julia Robinson.

Nasio, meanwhile, is facing time on the sidelines for her part in the on-field melee as Brisbane prevailed in the NRLW grand final.

The Roosters forward clashed with Robinson and landed at least one punch that left the Brisbane centre’s nose and lip bloodied as teammates piled in.

No other players were charged over the fracas, but Rooster Jasmin Strange is facing either a $400 fine or one-match ban if she pleads guilty to tripping Brisbane’s Gayle Broughton in the first half.

Roosters hooker Keeley Davis was on Monday named in the Jillaroos Pacific Championship squad and is believed to have avoided suffering any serious injury in a sickening head clash with teammate Rima Butler.

Rima Butler is awaiting scans on a gruesome facial injury.

Butler is awaiting scans to confirm a facial fracture on her right cheekbone, which blew up following a second-half collision with Davis.

Davis’s own right eye closed over due to swelling almost immediately as well. Both players both played on. The representative hooker will undergo further assessments on Monday, but Roosters staff believe her injury has avoided any structural damage.

Davis was initially diagnosed with a haematoma, which can potentially be drained and allow for a relatively quick recovery.