Nelson Asofa-Solomona banned for ugly act that concussed Sea Eagle in Storm defeat

Giant Melbourne prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been offered a two-match ban for hitting Manly's Jake Simpkin flush in the face with an elbow on Saturday night.

Storm hooker Harry Grant had a try disallowed during Melbourne's 18-16 defeat when the Bunker found that Asofa-Solomona had made dangerous contact with Simpkin's face in the previous tackle.

Simpkin tackled Asofa-Solomona and the Kiwi Test front-rower then whacked Simpkin as he got up to play the ball, resulting in the bench hooker leave the field for a head injury assessment that he ultimately failed.

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The Storm conceded a penalty for the foul play, which occurred with Melbourne trailing 16-6 late in the first half, but Asofa-Solomona wasn't sent to the sin bin.

As per the match review committee's ruling handed down on Sunday morning, Asofa-Solomona will have to serve two games on the sideline if he accepts the early guilty plea, but three matches if he challenges the charge at the judiciary and loses.

The offence was the hulking prop's second on record.

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Asked for his take on the incident in his post-match press conference, Storm coach Craig Bellamy said he had an opinion but didn't want to share it.

Earlier, Storm and Roosters great Cooper Cronk had admitted the incident could prove "costly".

"I agree, that's a penalty," Cronk said.

"He throws that elbow out, hits Simpkin, and he might be in some trouble with the match review committee."

Melbourne winger Xavier Coates scored a hat-trick, including a try in which he soared above Manly fullback Lehi Hopoate to catch a high ball and score.

But the Storm let themselves down in an uncharacteristic showing at home, only completing at 67 per cent to the Sea Eagles' 90 and making 16 errors to the visitors' 11.

Grant gifted Manly a shot at goal in the 79th minute when he made contact with Luke Brooks' legs as the five-eighth kicked the ball.

Reuben Garrick then pinched the game for the Sea Eagles, slotting the penalty goal to secure an unexpected and desperately needed 18-16 win.

The Sea Eagles claimed their ninth win from 17 games to climb to seventh on the ladder.

The Storm will finish round 20 placed third, trailing the table-topping Raiders and the second-placed Bulldogs.