It is the talk of rugby league. Morgan Knowles, banned for the Grand Final, has been cleared to play after St Helens successfully appealed his case. It has quickly become the biggest talking point ahead of the Grand Final. Two days out from Old Trafford, the fact that Knowles is free to play threatens to be one of the most controversial incidents in the build-up to a Grand Final.
The Super League champions, chasing a fourth-straight title, ensured their star forward would be free to play in the biggest game of the year following the processes set in place. This started when they initially appealed the Match Review Panel's charge against Knowles, which was a Grade B dangerous contact offence.
The first case took place on Tuesday evening. Saints argued, with medical evidence, that Knowles' actions on Salford's Chris Atkin did not force his arm beyond the normal range of movement, which therefore counteracted the decision to sanction him for dangerous contact. Furthermore, Saints argued that the tackle was a professional foul, with Knowles turning Atkin to slow the play the ball down.
