NRLW star hit with two charges after ugly face slap in win over Wests Tigers
Updated . First published
Bulldogs prop Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa has been stung with two separate charges by the NRLW match review committee after slapping a rival in the face during her side's 12-8 win over the Wests Tigers.
The ugly act in the 65th minute of the clubs' maiden meeting saw Teakaraanga-Katoa charged with contrary conduct and striking towards opposing halfback Jetaya Faifua.
Teakaraanga-Katoa received a one-match ban for behaving in a way that is not in line with the spirit of the game and a one-match ban for striking.
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Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa makes contcat with Wests Tigers fullback Jetaya Faifua's face with an open hand. Nine
The one-match suspension for striking is eligible to be swapped for a $400 fine for a guilty plea.
Teakaraanga-Katoa was given her marching orders with five minutes left on the clock after she pushed her hand into the face of a firing Faifua.
Faifua had been taken to the ground by Holli Wheeler in the play before the scuffle, with the Bulldogs lock's elbow appearing to rest close to the throat of her rival.
The tackling act sparked a fiery push-and-shove between Faifua and Wheeler, who was quickly supported by her Bulldogs teammate Teakaraanga-Katoa.
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"There is a whole lot of push-and-shove, with two big front-rowers on a fullback," Ruan Sims said in commentary for Nine as a replay of the scuffle was shown.
It was there that Teakaraanga-Katoa's slap was spotted.
"That very well could be the end of her night," Nine caller Peter Psaltis said.
Referee Belinda Sharpe soon confirmed time in the sin bin was necessary.
Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa of the Bulldogs is marched to the sin bin against the Wests Tigers. Mark Metcalfe via Getty Images
The penalty came moments after what was almost the turning point for the Wests Tigers' quest for a win, as Emily Bass crossed in the corner untouched to score.
A charging Caitlin Turnbull looked to collect a kick into the in-goal but was unable to gain full control over the ball. The ball popped in the path of a supporting Bass to finish off the job, but a Bunker replay of the try confirmed the ball had gone forward off Turnbull.
"If that was a try, that would've been the easiest two tries Emily Bass has ever scored," Brad Fittler said in commentary.
Still, the Bulldogs' resilient efforts with one less player on the field were a promising sign for what had been an impressive attacking performance by the team.
Ebony Prior wasted no time sending a clear warning to her former teammates as she caught the Wests Tigers defence sleeping from close range to open the scoring.
A swift pass from Tayla Preston into Kalosipani Hopoate on the Wests Tigers' 20 saw the Bulldogs make strong ground and set their attack in position to pounce.
But the storming run by Hopoate proved too strong for the Wests Tigers' defence as three defenders were left down on the turf while Prior broke away from dummy half.
"You could just see her itching to go," Fittler said.
Alexis Tauaneai followed in the 27th minute to cement a 12-nil lead at half time.
Bass scored the Wests Tigers' first points in the 55th minute in what was the first points of the final 35, but Losana Lutu was unable to convert.
Wests Tigers skipper Kezie Apps added another four points just three minutes later, but the pair's efforts were not enough to steal the win away from the blue and white jerseys.
