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

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.

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

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.

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.