South Sydney's Latrell Mitchell is facing an abrupt ending to his 2021 campaign following a reckless tackle charge from Friday night's win over the Roosters.
The Rabbitohs' superstar fullback is set to face a suspension between six and nine weeks after an incident involving Chooks centre Joseph Manu.
The lengthy ban comes as Mitchell holds four prior offences in the past two seasons.
The action not only placed Mitchell in the sin-bin, but saw Manu suffer a suspected fracture in his cheekbone and large bruising around his right eye.
Latrell Mitchell sent to the bin for this hit ๐ #NRLRoostersSouths
๐บ WATCH via Kayo Sports https://t.co/ixM4yjsFe8 pic.twitter.com/C0ds1xZXjN
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 27, 2021
An early guilty plea will see Mitchell face six weeks on the sidelines, with an unsuccessful challenge of the charge potentially placing the 24-year-old out for nine weeks.
Bunnies teammate Liam Knight has also come under scrutiny by the NRL's Judiciary, facing 2-3 weeks on the sidelines depending on whether he takes an early guilty plea for a dangerous contact charge on Roosters forward Siosiua Taukeiaho.
Tri-colours young gun Fletcher Baker has also been offered a ban between 1-2 weeks after a crusher tackle charge.
Roosters duo Isaac Liu, Egan Butcher and Rabbitoh Dane Gagai have received sanctions for their separate charges.
Liu has been charged with a careless high tackle, with Butcher facing a fine for his dangerous throw.
Gagai was charged for a grade one contrary conduct charge.
In Friday's other match, Warriors forward Matt Lodge is facing a 1-2 week ban for a dangerous contact charge on Raider Joseph Tapine.