Gracious Couchman accepts four-match ban for unfortunate hip-drop

Dragons forward Ryan Couchman has again apologised to J’maine Hopgood after being hit with a four-match ban for the unfortunate tackle that ended the Eels forward’s season.

Couchman fronted a 90-minute judiciary hearing on Tuesday evening where he accepted responsibility and spoke of his remorse, revealing he had already approached Hopgood after Sunday’s match to apologise.

"I thought I got a fair hearing, and I want to thank the panel for that," Couchman said. "I also want to apologise to J'maine and wish him all the best with his recovery. I know what it is like, so I am behind him.

"It can be a tough process but I'm sure he will have great support behind him, and I want to extend my support to him."

The incident occurred in the 28th minute at CommBank Stadium, with Couchman sin-binned and placed on report as Hopgood suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

He told the panel he sought out former teammate Jack De Belin post-match to check on Hopgood, before approaching the injured forward directly.

“Jack told me it was a suspected ACL,” Couchman said. “I was only three games back from an ACL, so I went straight over to him to apologise and tell him it was an accident. He accepted it.”

Couchman entered an early guilty plea to Dangerous Contact but his legal counsel Nick Ghabar argued for a reduced three-match suspension, pointing to a comparable hip drop tackle by Manly prop Toafofoa Sipley in 2024.

The panel ultimately rejected that submission, handing down a four-game ban.

In its findings, the panel said Couchman’s failure to release his grip in the tackle was the key factor, noting the risk of landing on the ball carrier should have been apparent.

"The decision of the Panel was unanimous and did not require the casting vote of the Chairperson," the judgement read.

"However, having regard to all factors, including the player’s plea of guilty, the Panel concluded that a four-match suspension was appropriate."

"Obviously, I'm disappointed I won't be able to be out there with my team-mates, but I will do everything I can to help them prepare for the next few matches," Couchman said.

"It's disappointing that I won't be able to play footy, but I made a mistake so I'll cop the four weeks."

Couchman’s case was supported by multiple character references, including former Bulldogs and Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter, who described him as “a person of the highest integrity” and said the incident was “out of character”.

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