{
  "id": 4544179,
  "title": "Knight's prop cops season-ending ban after send-off",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/knights-prop-cops-season-ending-ban-after-send-off",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-31T01:45:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-31/newcastle-knights-prop-jacob-saifiti-four-match-nrl-ban/107097474"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Newcastle Knights prop Jacob Saifiti has been given a four-game suspension for a high tackle during last weekend's match against the New Zealand Warriors. Saifiti was penalized for the incident in the first half of Newcastle's 46-32 loss. The only chance for Saifiti to return to the NRL this season is if he contests the charge at the judiciary on Tuesday and manages to reduce his punishment. The Knights benefit from a bye in the final round of the regular season, so Saifiti's ban will only start from their first finals game. Currently sitting seventh, Newcastle will play an elimination final in week one. However, even if they manage to qualify for the grand final, Saifiti would still miss it. Saifiti has a slim chance of playing again this season if he fights the suspension and loses the appeal, as an additional week would be added to his ban. In other news, Cronulla prop Tom Hazelton is set to miss his team's final regular season game against Melbourne after being cited for a hip-drop tackle on Ronald Volkman. Hazelton will serve a one-game ban due to his guilty plea, but he will be available for the finals series.",
  "summary": "Jacob Saifiti's NRL season is all but over after the Newcastle prop was handed a four-game suspension for a high tackle on Warriors winger Luke Laulilii.",
  "key_points": [
    "Newcastle Knights prop Jacob Saifiti banned for four games",
    "Saifiti's ban starts from first finals game, missing grand final",
    "Tom Hazelton of Cronulla to miss final regular season game"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News",
        "title": "Knight's prop cops season-ending ban after send-off",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/knights-prop-cops-season-ending-ban-after-send-off-4545171",
        "published": "2026-08-31T01:45:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}