South Sydney Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell has escaped a suspension in his first match back since Round 11. This follows teammate Kurt Donoghue's successful avoidance of a ban after a high tackle on James Tedesco during the team's 26-12 victory at Allianz Stadium.
On Saturday, six players faced charges, most stemming from the intense matchup between the Roosters and Dolphins. However, Mitchell received a charge for a high tackle on Keano Kini during the Rabbitohs' 42-22 win over the Titans.
Returning after a 15-week absence due to back and calf injuries, Mitchell entered the game with about 30 minutes left and made an immediate impact, achieving a linebreak and a try assist. Despite collecting the Titans' fullback Kini high during a kick attempt, Mitchell avoided suspension and will be eligible to play next week against the Roosters, having only been fined.
The Rabbitohs are optimistic about Mitchell regaining more playing time as they prepare for the NRL finals. Coach Wayne Bennett emphasized the importance of getting Mitchell back to peak fitness after months on the sidelines. "He hadn't played for four months, and I expected what I got there today. He's only going to get better for us," Bennett stated post-game. He anticipated Mitchell would provide a significant boost in the finals.
South Sydney has regained its form late in the season, and having Mitchell back makes them a formidable opponent in the elimination rounds. Meanwhile, the Dolphins also had three players penalized after their tough match against the Roosters. The most concerning incident was Donoghue's tackle on Tedesco, who fell and was struck in the head with Donoghue's shoulder.
Tedesco remained down, and commentators suggested Donoghue could have faced a sin bin penalty. "Boy, we've seen that go to the bin. Listen to the fans, the more they see the replay," said Michael Ennis. Andrew Voss added, "Jeez, he is lucky to get away with that. I think that is a bin every day of the week." Though Donoghue could have faced a ban, the NRL judiciary ultimately decided on a fine, which surprised some observers, with AAP's Scott Bailey suggesting Donoghue was fortunate ahead of the finals.