MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Latrell Mitchell of the Rabbitohs is sent to the sin-bin by referee Peter Gough during the round eight NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and South Sydney Rabbitohs at AAMI Park on April 25, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Penrith’s hopes of salvaging their season have taken a major blow with Kiwi forward Scott Sorensen suspended for 2–3 games following a shoulder charge during Saturday night’s defeat to Manly.
Sorensen was sent to the sin bin after a deliberate hit on Nathan Brown during a kick return. He will miss the next two matches — or three if he unsuccessfully contests the grade-two charge at the judiciary.
Critics slammed the penalty, arguing that Sorensen had no choice but to brace for contact against a charging Brown, with some commentators calling the suspension “farcical” and criticizing the NRL’s lack of clarity around such tackles. Brad Fittler also defended Sorensen, saying he was simply protecting himself and that the game’s current black-and-white approach to penalties was dangerous.
In more positive news for Penrith, fullback Dylan Edwards (fined $750 for tripping) and Casey McLean (fined between $1000–$1500 for a high tackle) have avoided suspensions, while Isaah Yeo escaped any punishment despite being placed on report.
Sea Eagles prop Siua Taukeiaho was also fined for a high shot, while Titans prop Jaimin Jolliffe faces 2–3 weeks out for a grade-two high tackle. Titans forward Brock Gray can avoid suspension with a $3000 fine, while Cowboys forward Griffin Neame was fined for a separate incident.
Meanwhile, Souths star Latrell Mitchell has been suspended again after a high shot on Melbourne’s Sua Fa’alogo on Anzac Day, leading to a grade-two dangerous contact charge and a two-match ban (reducible to one with an early plea).
Mitchell, who has had multiple judiciary issues in the past year, did not attend the post-match press conference. Storm coach Craig Bellamy and five-eighth Cameron Munster defended Mitchell, suggesting the wet conditions and Fa’alogo’s sudden slip made it hard for Mitchell to avoid contact.
Elsewhere, Roosters’ Sandon Smith, Warriors’ Marata Niukore, and Knights’ Leo Thompson have all been fined for careless high tackles during Anzac Day matches.
The Bulldogs are reeling from a costly defeat to the Broncos, with three players suspended following multiple sin-binnings in a chaotic 42–18 loss at Suncorp Stadium.
Josh Curran, Sitili Tupouniua, and Marcelo Montoya were all marched, and the Bulldogs have been handed a total of 13 weeks’ suspension between them. Curran faces a four-match ban (down to three with a plea), while Tupouniua faces two separate bans totaling at least five weeks unless successfully challenged.
Matt Burton was also charged and suspended for a careless high tackle but avoided being sent off during the match. Coach Cameron Ciraldo criticized his team’s discipline, calling the string of sin-bins a “ball-ache” but praised their fighting spirit in the second half.
Bailey Hayward is expected to fill in for Burton during the Bulldogs’ Magic Round clash with the Titans, while forwards Daniel Suluka-Fifita and Kurtis Morrin could also come into the side.
Burton and Curran are expected back by rounds 10 and 11 respectively.
