NRL Judiciary Round 5: Latrell Mitchell banned for elbow on Shaun Johnson, Chad Townsend fined over hip-drop tackle

Tom Naghten

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NRL Judiciary Round 5: Latrell Mitchell banned for elbow on Shaun Johnson, Chad Townsend fined over hip-drop tackle image

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Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell has once again found himself in hot water, accepting an early guilty plea and a three-game ban that goes with it for an elbow on Shaun Johnson during his team's loss to the Warriors.

Elsewhere, Kurt Donoghoe will also spend some time on the sideline following a reckless high tackle against Samuela Fainu.

Take a look at all the Round 5 NRL Judiciary charges below:

MORE: 2024 NRL live ladder | Every NRL club's updated injury list | Every NRL fixture and result for each club

Latrell Mitchell banned for three games over Shaun Johnson elbow

Mitchell will spend the next three games on the sidelines after hitting the Warriors' Johnson with an elbow on Saturday. 

Mitchell has been charged with Grade 2 Dangerous Contact, which has seen him cop a three-match ban with an early guilty plea.

He faced a possible four matches if he appealed the charge and was found guilty at panel.

"Latrell, it’s been reviewed," the referee Liam Kennedy informed the No.1 after Bunker official Ashley Klein had looked at the contact. 

"It’s an elbow. It’s on report. 

“It’s on report Latrell, that’s how it was awarded," he continued while entering into a conversation with Mitchell. 

"I understand, but when the arm’s out, that’s when we’re going to get the penalty."

"I really don’t know what goes through Latrell’s mind sometimes," Greg Alexander said on Fox League at half time.

"It was blatant - a raised elbow into the face of Johnson. He’s very lucky to still be on the field."

Mitchell will miss the upcoming game against the Sharks, before the Bunnies have a bye. He will then also be absent for clashes against the Storm and Panthers. 

Kurt Donoghoe banned for high shot

The Dolphins will have to do without Kurt Donoghoe for the next two matches after he took an early guilty plea for a high shot on Samuela Fainu.

The Tigers youngster was helped from the field and did not return to the action and is now subjected to the mandatory 11-day stand-down protocol. 

Donoghoe will miss fixtures against the Broncos and Eels before being eligible to return in Round 8 against the Knights. 

Chad Townsend avoids suspension following hip-drop tackle on Jayden Campbell

North Queensland's Chad Townsend has copped a fine after he was sin-binned for a hip-drop tackle on Jayden Campbell.

Townsend was one of two men in a tackle of Campbell, which saw the Cowboy pull his opponent down across his body, seeing Campbell's leg fold under him. 

The playmaker accepted a $1,000 fine with an early guilty plea.

In the same game, Titans star David Fifita picked up a fine after he was charged with dangerous contact on Griffin Neame.

Dom Young suspended over Blake Taaffe high shot

Roosters winger Dom Young will miss at two matches after he was charged for his high shot which left Blake Taaffe heavily concussed.

The Bulldogs fullback took no further part in the match after Young collected him with a swinging arm in the first half.

Young was sent off for the ugly incident and has now been charged with a Grade 2 careless high tackle, meaning he'll miss two weeks with an early guilty plea. 

The Roosters face the Knights and Storm in their next two outings.

Victor Radley avoids charge despite sin-bin

Roosters lock Victor Radley was forced to spend the remainder of his side's loss to the Bulldogs in the sin-bin after referee Grant Atkins ruled he'd performed a hip-drop tackle on Stephen Crichton in the 73rd minute.

Coach Trent Robinson described the decision as "below par" following the match and the NRL Judiciary appears to be of a similar mind, clearing Radley of any wrongdoing.

Full Round 5 Judiciary charge list

Player Charge Opponent Early plea Guilty at panel
Reagan Campbell-Gillard High tackle - careless (Grade 1) Simi Sasagi $1,800 $2,500
Moeaki Fotuaika Dangerous contact (Grade 1) Scott Drinkwater $1,800 $2,500
Chad Townsend Dangerous contact (Grade 1) Jayden Campbell $1,000 $1,500
David Fifita Dangerous contact (Grade 1) Griffin Neame $1,800 $2,500
Latrell Mitchell Dangerous contact (Grade 2) Shaun Johnson 3 matches 4 matches
Kurt Donoghoe High tackle - careless (Grade 2) Samuela Fainu 2 matches 3 matches
Aidan Sezer Dangerous contact (Grade 1) Jesse Bromwich $1,800 $2,500
Samuel Hughes Dangerous throw (Grade 1) Joseph Suaalii $1,000 $1,500
Dom Young High tackle - careless (Grade 3) Blake Taaffe 2 matches 3 matches
Trent Loiero Dangerous contact (Grade 1) Patrick Carrigan $1,000 $1,500

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Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.