Mitchell accepts three-match ban, Young to miss two for careless hit on Blake Taaffe

Jarred Cross Published April 8, 2024 at 2.00pm (AWST)

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Mitchell was slapped with the three-game ban for his elbow on Shaun Johnson. (Image: AAP)

South Sydney will be without star fullback Latrell Mitchell until round 10 after he accepted a three-match ban for elbowing Warriors half Shaun Johnson at the weekend.

Mitchell was reported twice in the first half, but escaped charges for an awkward lifting tackle on Tohu Harris.

On Monday Souths confirmed the three-ban offered by Judiciary for the Johnson incident had been accepted.

They risked being without Mitchell for a fourth week had they unsuccessfully appealed the decision at the panel this week.

The blow will still be felt in crucial matches against current top four sides Cronulla and Melbourne either side of their round seven bye, and reigning premiers Penrith with Mitchell restricted to the sidelines for those matches.

Souths are currently pinned to the bottom of the ladder with just one win from their opening five games.

Speaking post-match on Saturday, coach Jason Demetriou labelled Mitchell's acts "stupid" but extended blame for their fortunes to the wider playing group.

After sitting on top mid-way through the 2023, the Bunnies have endured a horror run which saw them miss the finals and underperform in the current campaign as off-field rumours and controversies have come regularly.

According to reports on Monday, Demetriou's job hangs in the balance ahead of facing the Sharks.

At the Roosters, Dom Young has accepted a two-game ban for his 'careless' high shot which left Bulldog and Bidjigal man Blake Taaffe dazed on Friday night.

*Taffee did not return after being taken from the ground and undergoing a HIA against the Roosters on Friday. (Image: AAP)*

Taaffe took no further part in the game from the 27th minute after failing his HIA following the hit.

Young was sent off for the hit, and will miss the Roosters next two games with his former club Newcastle and Melbourne.

Taffee opened the scoring in the nail biting 30-26 win for his side after the Roosters stormed back from a 26-point halftime deficit, and had stopped Young from scoring a long-range try with a desperate tackle to take the England international into touch in the 13th minute.

Wests Tigers half Aiden Sezer has accepted an $1800 fine for an inconspicuous dangerous contact offence against Dolphins forward Jesse Bromwich in the 51st minute of their teams' clash at the weekend.