NRL Judiciary: Tago set for ban after Gray hip drop, Host slammed as Souths problems mount further

03/05/2024 02:45

Panthers centre Izack Tago has been slapped with a ban after a hip drop tackle that left Jye Gray with a syndesmosis injury that could rule him out for weeks.

Tago was binned for his part in the tackle in the early stages of his side’s victory over South Sydney on Thursday night and will now sit out Penrith’s home match against the Bulldogs next Friday night. He can appeal, but would then be a doubt for their Magic Round meeting with the Warriors.

Jacob Host was also sat down during the same game after making contact with the legs of Panthers kicker Brad Schneider.

He has been charged and faces two games on the sidelines, three if Souths dispute the grading. That rules the backrower out of next Saturday’s trip to Kogarah to face the Dragons and the Cowboys at Magic.

Tago’s suspension looked likely from the moment the tackle was made.

"You see him come down with all that weight on the outside lower leg of Jye Gray, who knew he had a problem immediately," said Warren Smith on the Fox League call.

"And he'll have an issue, you'd think, beyond tonight – when the Match Review Committee take a look at that."