Repeat offender Nelson Asofa-Solomona escapes ban after low grade charge for high shot on Roosters star
Updated . First published
Nelson Asofa-Solomona has narrowly escaped a ban for a high shot on the Roosters' four-try hero Mark Nawaqanitawase late in a game in which the Storm were humbled 40-10.
With Melbourne trailing 28-10 in the 75th minute, Roosters star Nawaqanitawase ran the ball up the middle.
Asofa-Solomona then went one-on-one with his contact and landed a high shot on the winger.
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Roosters players called for a penalty and Todd Smith blew his whistle before putting the prop on report. On Saturday morning the verdict was in, with the match review committee landing on a grade one careless high tackle, which will be dealt with by a $3000 fine if the Storm enforcer enters an early guilty plea.
In the unlikely event that he fights the charge at the judiciary, Asofa-Solomona would face a possible two-match ban due in part to his poor record.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona's high shot. Nine
In commentary for Nine, Storm legend Billy Slater said Asofa-Solomona needed to reassess his technique in contact.
"He's a player that's got to be extra careful given how tall he is and how powerful he is," he said on Friday Night Golden Point.
"If he gets it a little bit wrong, it's a lot wrong. Nelson's always been that player that just has to be extra cautious when he goes into his contact.
"It didn't look all that bad, the fact that Mark got up straight away, it didn't look like it hurt him too much. That'll go into his favour but he has had a history of these sorts of tackles so we'll wait and see."
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Asofa-Solomona has already been suspended this year, copping a two-match ban for dangerous contact in mid-July.
He had not returned to the top grade since that loss against Manly, with Craig Bellamy forcing him to earn his spot back through reserve grade. His start for Friday night's Roosters clash hints that Bellamy sees him as a finals weapon who must be utilised.
Last year, the prop was ruled out of the grand final for a high tackle charge.
