LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Penrith Panthers have faced a significant setback ahead of their NRL clash against the Brisbane Broncos, as second-rower Scott Sorensen has been handed a three-game suspension following an unsuccessful appeal at the NRL judiciary.
Initially, he was set to miss two games for a grade-two shoulder charge, but since the Panthers failed to have it downgraded to a grade-one charge-which would have reduced the suspension to a $1000 fine-he will now be sidelined for three matches against the Broncos, Cowboys, and Knights.
NRL legend Andrew Johns has criticized the league for its handling of the situation, calling for clarity on what actions players like Sorensen should take during tackles.
Sorensen's incident occurred while attempting to tackle Manly's Nathan Brown during a kick-off return, where he made shoulder contact to Brown's head.
Notably, Brown was unharmed and did not require a head injury assessment.
Johns remarked on the challenges players face in similar setups, stating, "They want players to defend low, but if Scott Sorensen goes low on Nathan Brown he's gonna knock himself out as cold as a spud… If he wraps his arms, he will dislocate his shoulder - he has to brace and get himself into space." He urged the NRL to provide clear guidelines on acceptable tackling techniques in such circumstances.
Despite this call for clarity, the NRL has not responded, leaving Sorensen to face a longer absence due to the additional suspension.
Johns highlighted the dangers players face, citing previous instances of arm and shoulder injuries that occur during high-pressure tackles, especially during kick-off returns when space is limited due to teammate closeness.