Josh Aloiai is set to miss the start of next season, after the Manly forward was charged for a dangerous throw on Rabbitohs prop Mark Nicholls in last night’s loss to Souths.
Aloiai was hit with a grade two charge for the tackle in the 68th minute and is facing a ban of three or four matches.
With two prior offences in the past two years, Aloiai would miss three matches if he enters an early guilty plea or risk a four-match suspension if he challenges the charge at the judiciary.
“The tackle by you is extremely dangerous,” referee Ashley Klein was heard telling Aloiai on Nine’s coverage.
“You’re going to go to the bin and it’s on report.”
Rugby league great Paul Vautin added: “That was an ordinary tackle. That was an old-fashioned, 80s-type tackle, that one.”
The tackle sparked a melee between the two sides, with Klein warning both captains about players rushing in.
The referee singled out Manly second-rower Haumole Olakau’atu and South Sydney hooker Damien Cook for their roles but both sides escaped punishment.
Fortunately no South Sydney players threw a punch which could have potentially ruled them out of the grand final.
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