Latrell cops game ban

THE Roosters will have to reach the NRL grand final without star centre Latrell Mitchell after he was found guilty of dangerous contact and was handed a one-week ban.

Mitchell’s marathon 100minute hearing over the crusher tackle on Cronulla’s Josh Dugan lasted longer than Saturday’s qualifying final itself, but it took the panel just 12 minutes to find him guilty.

Neither Mitchell or coach Trent Robinson spoke to the media after the hearing. The Roosters face a difficult task ahead of them against either South Sydney or St George Illawarra on Saturday week without both the centre and suspended prop Dylan Napa.

Mitchell had been key in the Roosters’ run to the minor premiership and preliminary final, having scored 16 tries, made 18 linebreaks and busted through 101 tackles.

Meanwhile, Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga has created history by becoming the youngest ever recipient of The Players’ Champion.

The 20-year-old received the ultimate recognition from his peers at the Rugby League Players’ Association’s annual awards night, held at Doltone House at Darling Island.