Jaydn Su’A Faces Suspension After Controversial Tackle
Jaydn Su’A has been offered a three-game suspension for his controversial tackle on Cameron Murray during the Dragons’ 30-12 loss to the Rabbitohs. The incident occurred in the final stages of the match, with just over 10 minutes remaining. Su’A, who was attempting to spark a comeback for the Dragons, delivered a powerful shoulder charge to Murray, a player known for previous head injuries and concussions.
Murray, however, quickly got back up, much to the surprise of fans and commentators alike. The referee, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, immediately sent Su’A off the field after a brief consultation with the Bunker. This marked the first time since 2024 that a player had been sent off in the NRL, with the last instance being Tiger Justin Olam in Round 22 of that year.
“Direct contact shoulder to the head, straight off,” the referee stated, confirming the decision. The Rabbitohs fans were visibly upset, with many cheering Su’A’s exit as they viewed it as a dirty act. Commentator Dan Ginnane noted, “Su’A trying to change the game, trying to spark the Dragons, has got a tackle horribly wrong. It’s a miracle Murray got up unscathed.”
Following the incident, Su’A received a grade three shoulder charge and was given a three-game suspension. If he decides to fight the charge at the judiciary and loses, he will serve an additional game.
Coach Flanagan’s Struggles Continue
The Dragons’ woes extended beyond Su’A’s dismissal. On Sunday morning, coach Shane Flanagan faced another setback when Liddle suffered a suspected hamstring injury during the warm-up. He was seen receiving treatment from a trainer and was later ruled out of the match.
The team’s struggles began early, as the Rabbitohs took an early lead with Latrell Mitchell scoring in the fifth minute. However, the Dragons managed to take the lead by the half-hour mark through tries from Cook and Stewart. A boost came when Rabbitohs substitute Peter Mamouzelos was sent to the bin for a hip-drop tackle on David Fale. Mamouzelos had already faced fines for two separate incidents on Sunday morning.
Despite the numerical advantage, the Dragons failed to capitalize, allowing Alex Johnston to score just before halftime. Mitchell converted the try, giving the Rabbitohs a 16-12 lead at halftime. Commentator Dan Ginnane remarked, “That’s a devastating blow for the Dragons – in front, extra man, and yet Souths score on the bell and then convert it as well.”
Key Moments and Player Reactions
As the game progressed, the Dragons continued to struggle. Matt Dufty scored on his first NRL game in 1420 days, further compounding their difficulties. With the player advantage, the Dragons still found themselves trailing approaching the 70th minute when Su’A was sent off. In the final 10 minutes, Latrell Mitchell scored twice, helping to widen the gap.
Post-match, Dragons skipper Damien Cook expressed his frustration. “At half time we thought we were alright … it’s hard to say where we lost,” he told Fox Sports. Cook acknowledged Su’A’s intentions but admitted, “I could see what he was trying to do … maybe force an error and make something happen.”
He also addressed concerns about the club’s future under Flanagan. “I think they will, I really do. All we can do is keep turning up on Monday and trying to improve,” Cook said. He praised the team’s effort but emphasized the need for better results.
Final Score and Upcoming Matches
Latrell Mitchell had an outstanding performance, crossing for four tries, while Alex Johnston and Matt Dufty added two more. However, Mitchell struggled with the boot, converting only two out of six attempts, plus a penalty goal.
The Rabbitohs will face the Storm next weekend, while the Dragons prepare to take on the Roosters. As the season progresses, both teams will look to address their challenges and improve their performances on the field.
