Roosters could be without Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii for a month due to a grade two dangerous contact charge issued by the match review committee. Suaalii faces a ban of three to four weeks for lifting his knees and hitting Bulldogs captain Reed Mahoney in the head just before half-time.
Mahoney had to leave the field due to a head injury assessment which he failed. The incident left the Bulldogs lacking creativity in the second half. Suaalii’s running style has drawn attention in the past, as he was fined $3000 for a late hit in Round 2.
Taking the early guilty plea would lead to Suaalii’s ban lasting three weeks, but fighting the charge at the judiciary and losing could result in a four-match ban. It hasn’t been a great season start for the Samoan who scored his first try since Round 1 in the Bulldogs game. In that match, he was shifted to right-wing to become more involved.
Teammate Jake Turpin faces a $1000 fine for a high tackle, and North Queensland’s Coen Hess has been offered a $3000 fine for a high shot on the Storm. Hess could face a two-game ban if he decides to fight the charge and loses.