Knights prop Jacob Saifiti has become the second player to be sent off this season after collecting Warriors winger Luke Laulilii with a brutal high shot.
Saifiti shot out of the line and contacted Lahii’s head with his shoulder, badly misjudging the tackle.
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Laulilii, who was just 12 minutes into his club debut for the Warriors, was treated for a couple of minutes by medical staff but thankfully, was able to walk off the field.
The Knights prop was immediately contrite but there was no doubt what was about to come, with Saifiti joining Dragons gun Jaydn Su’A as the only two players to be sent off in 2026.
“He’s gone. He has to be,” Michael Ennis said in commentary.
“He’s come out of the line with intent and has absolutely rocked Luke Laulilii. Boy, that’s savage.
“He comes out of the line and just gets it wrong.”
Referee Adam Gee explained to Saifiti and captain Kalyn Ponga that the prop had made “direct and very forceful contact”.
“He rushes out of the line with a lack of a duty of care. Direct and very forceful contact with the shoulder. You’re off,” Gee said.
“That’s not even close to a sin bin. It’s a send off every day of the week,” Greg Alexander said on Fox League at half time.
It looms as a brutal blow for the finals bound Newcastle.
Given Saifiti has been charged three times already this year, it’s hard to see him playing again in 2026.
“This is a big moment in Newcastle’s season,” Ennis said.
“He’s so important to their finals series.”
