Souths reel as Mitchell sees specialist, Fifita banned
Jasper Bruce and George Clarke |
South Sydney’s quest to remain in the top eight has received a hammer blow with star forwards Cameron Murray, David Fifita and Tallis Duncan joining talisman Latrell Mitchell on the sidelines.
A horror day ended in a disappointing night for the seventh-placed Rabbitohs as Fifita’s grade-two dangerous contact charge was upheld at his NRL judiciary hearing.
The star second-rower had been attempting to regain his footing following a play-the-ball in last week’s loss to Canberra when his leg flicked up and contacted Hudson Young’s head.
Originally offered a one-game ban, Fifita was seeking a downgrade from grade-two to grade-one dangerous contact, which would have allowed him to escape suspension with a fine, but he will now miss two games.
The 26-year-old refused customary post-hearing press interviews as he left NRL headquarters.
NRL counsel Lachlan Gyles convinced the judiciary that while there was a low level of force to the kick, the Souths star acted with a high level of carelessness.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Rabbitohs revealed captain Murray (calf) and in-form edge Duncan (hamstring) would miss up to four and three weeks, respectively.
But the ongoing absence of Mitchell could be the most painful of all as the explosive left centre books in to see a neurologist over an ongoing nerve issue.
The 29-year-old was in career-best form until he suffered a back injury, followed by a calf issue, which have sidelined him for more than two months.
“Mitchell is trying to overcome complex nerve damage that initially created complications with a lower back injury, and now a calf issue in his left leg,” the club said in a statement.
“Mitchell will remain a week-to-week proposition as to a return to the field of play.”
Murray picked up a calf strain in Saturday’s 34-24 loss to Canberra and is expected to miss up to a month.
Souths could be out of finals contention by the time their captain returns if he requires the full four weeks out.
The setback is disappointing for Murray, who sat out the majority of last season with an achilles injury as Souths missed the finals.
Wayne Bennett’s men have won two of their past four games and face Melbourne, Cronulla, and bitter rivals the Sydney Roosters in the run towards the finals.
Lachlan Hubner will fill in for Murray at lock for Friday’s clash with the Storm at Accor Stadium, while Latrell Siegwalt comes into the centres for Duncan.
With Duncan and Adam Elliott both out, the Rabbitohs will need to get creative to cover for Fifita in the second row.
Bennett, who attended Tuesday night’s hearing, could opt to switch Keaon Koloamatangi to an edge or promote Tom Fletcher to the starting side.
AAP