NRL judiciary live: Nelson Asofa-Solomona fights to play in grand final

NRL judiciary live: Nelson Asofa-Solomona fights to play in grand final

Key posts

Pinned post from

Poll: What’s a fair punishment for NAS?

The other Nelson tackle playing a part tonight

Ironically, throughout Melbourne’s preparations for tonight’s hearing, they found themselves looking at another tackle of Asofa-Solomona’s only last month when he was slapped with a grade one careless high tackle charge on Penrith’s Daine Laurie, which also caused friendly fire to teammate Cameron Munster.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona (right) embraces Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.Credit: Getty Images

Privately, Melbourne powerbrokers are surprised by the grading of Asofa-Solomona’s charge, but know they’re a better team when the 28-year-old is on the park.

Defence counsel: Nick Ghabar

NRL counsel: Lachlan Giles

Judiciary chairman: Geoff Bellew

Judiciary panel: Bob Lindner, Paul Simpkins

The double downgrade precedent

Melbourne’s go-to judiciary man Nick Ghabar has arrived here at HQ, the big man Nelson isn’t too far away either after flying up today to plead his case in person.

We won’t lie, convincing the panel to let him play is a long shot. But, there is a precedent of sorts: the Warriors won a double downgrade in 2023 when Zyon Maiu’u had a grade two reckless high tackle reduced to a grade three careless high tackle. His four-match ban was cut to two matches after a trial game.

Warriors forward Zyon Maiu’u is sent off for a high shot on Tigers centre Declan Casey.Credit: Fox

But that case centred on whether the actions of Maiu’u should be deemed reckless, whereas Asofa-Solomona has the far greater task of convincing the judiciary his grading for a careless tackle was severely disproportionate.

Watch: How the tackle went down

Advertisement

Poll: What’s a fair punishment for NAS?

Welcome one, welcome all

Evening sports fans and judicial process enthusiasts,

Coming to you live from Rugby League HQ where Nelson Asofa-Solomona and the Storm have jetted into town aiming to deliver a grand final miracle.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona flattens Lindsay Collins.Credit: NRL Imagery

Asofa-Solomona is staring down a rather large grade 3 careless high tackle charge for knocking Lindsay Collins out from the kick-off last Friday night.

He and the Storm need a double downgrade, fun to say, even more fun to attempt, for Asofa-Solomona to reduce what is currently a four-game suspension to a $3000 fine.

Kick-off’s at 6pm and we’ll stay with this one all night if we have to, hopefully not though.

Most Viewed in Sport