NRL 2021: Latrell Mitchell facing six-week ban for ugly Joey Manu hit
Christian NicolussiAugust 28, 2021 — 11.49am
A distressed Joey Manu accused good mate Latrell Mitchell of a “dog shot”, but the Souths star refused to apologise for the tackle that is set to end both their seasons and left the Rabbitohs’ premiership dream on life support.
Mitchell is facing a six-match ban for the sickening hit on his former Sydney Roosters teammate, whose season is over after he suffered a depressed fracture of the cheekbone in Friday night’s drama-charged clash in Brisbane.
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NRL Presser: Robinson blasts the bunker - Round 24
Trent Robinson's presser following the Roosters loss to the Rabbitohs.
Footage of Manu blowing his nose and his right cheekbone instantly swelling surfaced not long after South Sydney’s 54-12 win.
Roosters chairman Nick Politis said he had tears in his eyes watching Manu forced from the field.
Now
The Sun-Herald can reveal what was said between the friends as tensions boiled over in the middle of Suncorp Stadium.
About 70 seconds after Manu was floored by Mitchell, he charged over to the Souths No.1, saying: “Why did you do that for? It was a dog shot”.
Audio from Channel Nine’s coverage reveals Mitchell yelling back “I don’t need to apologise” and “I was protecting my f---ing head”.
As Roosters trainer Travis Touma attempts to assist Manu from the field, he returns to a flustered Mitchell who says: “How’d I mean it?”
Mitchell was hit with a grade-two reckless tackle on Saturday. Due to his poor disciplinary record – he has had four non-similar offences in the past two seasons – a potential four-match ban has become six matches.
Should Mitchell fight the charge, he risks being rubbed out for nine matches.
Roosters centre Joseph Manu confronts South Sydney’s Latrell Mitchell.Getty
As Mitchell was given 10 minutes in the sin bin, Souths teammate Cody Walker argued with referee Ashley Klein.
“We have a duty of care for the players,” Klein tells Walker. “The player [Manu] has a broken cheekbone and is likely to not come back for the rest of the game.”
Walker responds: “It was an accident. I understand it was a penalty, but there is no intent and no malice whatsoever in that.”
NRL head of football Graham Annesley admitted on Saturday that Mitchell should have been sent off.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson did not hold back on Friday night and said the fact Mitchell had not been marched for the remainder of the game was
“laughable and an absolute farce”. Robinson is expected to be fined by the NRL for his outburst.
“Based on what action the officials took on the field, I think the harsher action should have been taken ... based on what we saw on the field, he should have been dismissed,” Annesley said.
Politis said he could barely sleep on Friday night and woke at 3.30am because he kept worrying about Manu being rushed to hospital.
“What upset me the most is Joseph is such a nice kid,” Politis said. “I get tears in my eyes.
“It rips me apart because he’s one of the cleanest and nicest players in the comp. I can’t even remember the last time he gave a penalty away.
“Joey and Latrell won two grand finals together and this happens. We’re already struggling with injuries and now we lose him for the season. It hurts.”
Souths coach Wayne Bennett preferred to keep his thoughts on Mitchell’s penalty to himself. When asked how tough it would be to win the title without the powerhouse fullback, Bennett said: “Life goes on. Souths will go on.”
The feisty clash between bitter rivals also featured Souths prop Liam Knight being hit with a two-match ban for a hip-drop tackle on Sio Siua Taukeiaho, the Roosters’ 200-game milestone man Isaac Liu fined $1500 for a careless high tackle on Jaydn Su’A, and Egan Butcher and Dane Gagai fined $1500 each for a dangerous throw and contrary conduct respectively.
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The NRL moved quickly to stop Henry Perenara officiating any further games this weekend. Perenara was in the bunker for the Roosters game and was due to oversee the Parramatta-Melbourne match on Saturday night, but was replaced by Alan Shortall.
“While I can’t speak specifically to certain incidents, it’s fairly clear there were errors of judgment made,” Annesley said.
“It’s also important that our match officials are in the right frame of mind, and due to the heavy focus on last night’s incidents, we’ve made the decision to replace Henry.”
Latrell Mitchell’s season is over after he was hit with a grade-two reckless high tackle charge on Joey Manu, which carries a six-match ban with an early plea.
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