CANBERRA - Canberra will seek leave to appeal skipper Simon Woolford's eight-week ban from National Rugby League (NRL) matches, arguing the punishment is too great for the crime.
In a crushing blow to the Raiders' finals hopes, the Canberra hooker was sidelined for the rest of the regular season atthe NRL judiciary last night after being found guilty of a grade two dangerous throw on Melbourne fullback Billy Slater in the weekend's 20-0 loss to the Storm.
The grade two charge carried an initial ban of three matches but due to Woolford's abysmal record, which included six prior offences, the suspension blew out to eight games.
Woolford pleaded guilty but hoped to have the charge reduced to a grade one dangerous throw -- which meant a three-week ban.
Despite being armed with a letter of support from his victim Slater and more evidence from the Melbourne fullback via the phone, Woolford was suspended for two months.
Raiders coach Matt Elliott said Woolford's suspension was clearly too severe given the tackle involved and the club would argue as much.
"The club will be seeking a right to appeal on the case that the period of the sentence is far too great for the actual incident," he told local ABC radio in Canberra.
