Storm star Nelson Asofa-Solomona is facing being banned form the Grand Final for a tackle on Lindsay Collins in the first play of the preliminary final.
Collins will also likely miss the Grand Final if the Roosters make it after being ruled out with a category one concussion from the tackle.
Asofa-Solomona appeared to catch Collins on the chin with his shoulder in a fiery first tackle at AAMI Park as chaos broke loose.
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“It is Nelson who throws all of his weight into the tackle with Collins first up and Lindsay is absolutely rattled, dazed and has played the ball in the wrong direction and they have ruled high tackle,” Andrew Voss said on Fox League.
“Now this well boy oh boy. They have found high contact on a player clearly.”
Michael Ennis knew Asofa-Solomona was in trouble right away.
“Oh yeah that is shoulder contact right to the jaw,” Ennis said.
“Yes he did lower his body position, but here we go Nelson has been called out.”
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Referee Grant Atkins wasted no time in sending the Storm enforcer to the sin bin, while Collins went off for a HIA and was ;later ruled out for the rest of the game.
“It is on report, dangerous contact to the head and no mitigation, in the bin,” referee Grant Atkins said.
Voss noted the potential for Asofa-Solomona to be rubbed out of the Grand Final if the Storm win through.
“10 minutes in the bin, seconds into the preliminary final,” Voss said.
“The implications of it, charge and Melbourne win, potentially there is a lot here to unpack.”
Ennis agreed the Storm enforcer is in hot water and Collins won’t play in the decider next Sunday if the Roosters win.
“Gee it is not your natural one where you see a big swinging arm,” Ennis said.
“Yes Nelson is trying to put on a big shot, but the lowering body position of Collins.
“The other ramifications is Collins is going to have to come from the field too.
“So carnage here early at AAMI Park and it might not be done with either, as a Grand Final awaits.”
Source Agencies
