Tackle charge could mean suspension for Mitchell
THE Sydney Roosters face being without Latrell Mitchell for their NRL preliminary final after the star centre was charged with a dangerous contact charge yesterday.
Mitchell, 21, was hit with a grade one charge for a crusher tackle on Cronulla centre Josh Dugan in the second half of the Roosters’ qualifying finals win.
The grade one charge carries a 100- point base penalty, which would normally allow Mitchell to escape suspension with an early guilty plea. However he has been made to pay by the match review committee for a previous incident.
The NSW State of Origin centre has 75 carryover points after pleading guilty to a cannonball tackle on Eels captain Clint Gutherson in the final game of the regular season.
It means he will have to successfully contest the charge at the NRL judiciary to play in their final- four clash against either South Sydney or the winner of Brisbane and St George Illawarra.
The Roosters have until midday today to decide whether to fight the findings.
His possible suspension would be a huge blow for a Roosters side.
Mitchell is second in the league in pointscoring with 228 points.
The team will still be missing firebrand Dylan Napa, who has one more match to serve for a separate ugly tackle.