Penrith’s best win of the NRL season has come at a cost with Scott Sorensen handed a two-game suspension for the tackle that injured Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
The Kiwi second-rower Sorensen was not penalised on-field for his hip-drop style shot from the first half of Penrith’s 28-18 win in Auckland.
The tackle left Watene-Zelezniak with a syndesmosis injury, with the Panthers scoring their second try while the winger was hobbling in backplay and unable to defend in position.
Watene-Zelezniak then watched from the dressing sheds as his former side waged a huge upset without their five NSW stars and the Warriors are waiting on scans to determine the extent of the damage.
On Sunday morning, the match review committee handed four-time premiership winner Sorensen a grade-two dangerous contact charge for his tackle.
It means Sorensen will sit out of Thursday’s match against ladder leaders Canterbury and the rivalry clash with Parramatta by accepting an early guilty plea.
If he unsuccessfully disputes his charge, Sorensen will miss a further match against South Sydney.
He also received a grade-one careless high tackle charge for a shot on Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad but can accept a $1800 fine.
The Panthers’ five State of Origin representatives are likely to return to face the Bulldogs on Thursday night, with Isaiah Papali’i and Luke Garner both options to start in Sorensen’s absence.
Nathan Cleary is no certainty to play due to his groin injury with coach Ivan Cleary joking after the win over the Warriors that his son “has been ghosting me” so he was not sure if he would be good to go.
Nicoll-Klokstad is facing a fine for a careless high tackle on Thomas Jenkins of $1000-$1500.
Knights winger James Schiller’s high shot on Oryn Keeley during Saturday’s game in Perth leaves him facing the option of a $3000 fine or a two-game ban due to a poor judiciary record.
Rabbitohs forward Lachlan Hubner ($1800 for a contrary conduct), Raiders pair Hudson Young ($1800 for a dangerous contact) and Morgan Smithies ($1500 for striking) and Wests Tigers winger Jeral Skelton are also lighter in the hip pocket.
Skelton was pinged $1000 for pulling the hair of Canberra winger Xavier Savage.
Round 17 teams
All times AEST
Panthers vs Bulldogs at CommBank Stadium: 7.50pm, Thursday June 26
Panthers: Scott Sorensen has been banned for a fortnight for a hip-drop tackle.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary is set to bring all five Origin reps back into the team after they were rested for the trip to Auckland with Nathan Cleary needing to prove he is over his groin injury.
Bulldogs: Coming in fresh off the bye, Matt Burton, Kurt Mann, Stephen Crichton and Max King will boost the line-up after sitting out their last-start win over Souths.
Tom Trbojevic makes a break. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Sea Eagles vs Tigers at 4 Pines Park: 6pm, Friday June 27
Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic is set to start at centre with Lehi Hopoate to run out at fullback as Anthony Seibold tries to find a winning formula.
Haumole Olakau’atu (shoulder) is not out for the season and is hoping to be back on the field by the end of July.
Tigers: Speculation is surfacing that Tallyn Da Silva will follow in Lachie Galvin’s footsteps in getting a mid-season release with Benji Marshall stating he was not sure whether the young hooker will remain at the club after he was an unused reserve in the loss to Canberra on Friday.
Knights vs Raiders at McDonald Jones Stadium: 8pm, Friday June 27
Knights: Fletcher Sharpe is under a cloud after copping a head knock and a suspected lacerated kidney in their win over the Dolphins at Perth.
Kiwi prop Leo Thompson has one more game to serve for his crusher tackle ban.
Raiders: Hudson Young and Morgan Smithies were fined for incidents in the win over Wests but have avoided bans.
Broncos vs Warriors at Suncorp Stadium: 3pm, Saturday June 28
Broncos: Ben Hunt (hamstring) is set to make a comeback if he gets the all-clear later in the week.
Warriors: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak could be out for an extended period after suffering an ankle injury in the loss to Penrith with Edward Kosi likely to get a recall to the wing.
Kurt Capewell will be back after sitting out the weekend clash after his starring role in Origin for Queensland.
Rocco Berry (hamstring) and Ali Leiataua (ankle) should also be available for selection.
Kurt Capewell. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Dragons vs Eels at WIN Stadium: 5.30pm, Saturday June 28
Dragons: After receiving their final bye, they have 11 straight weeks to conjure up a spot in the finals. Corey Allan (hamstring) is a maybe while Jaydn Su’A (ankle) is also no certainty to play.
Eels: Kiwi five-eighth Dylan Brown will be back after he was suspended until Round 17 for making contact with a referee.
Dolphins vs Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium: 7.50pm, Saturday June 28
Dolphins: The Dolphins lost winger Jack Bostock to a suspected ACL rupture in the first half of their loss to Newcastle at HBF Park.
His loss adds to season-ending injuries already for key forwards Tom Gilbert, Daniel Saifiti and Max Plath, along with the continued absence of prop Thomas Flegler with a shoulder nerve complaint since April last year..
Rabbitohs: Cody Walker (groin) and Campbell Graham (back) are hopeful of returning from short stints on the sidelines.
Storm vs Sharks at AAMI Park: 2pm, Saturday June 29
Storm: Maroons winger Xavier Coates will be back after he was the only member of Melbourne’s Origin contingent who did not back up for their one-point win over Souths.
Sharks: Young winger Sam Stonestreet is closing in on a return from an ankle injury while prop Oregon Kaufusi (hamstring) was a late withdrawal from Sunday’s stoush with Brisbane.
Titans vs Cowboys at Cbus Super Stadium: 4.05pm, Sunday June 29
Titans: David Fifita (ankle) was close to making a return on Sunday against Parra so he is likely to suit up against the Cowboys.
Tony Francis (knee) and Jaylan De Groot (hamstring) are also in the frame for a comeback.
Cowboys: Reece Robson and Reuben Cotter did not back up from Origin against the Roosters on Sunday but should be right to take on the Titans while Jason Taumalolo (calf) is still not quite right to return.
Bye – Roosters
with AAP
