NRL 2022: David Klemmer avoids suspension in Rabbitohs’ 40-28 win over Knights

Knights prop David Klemmer was sent off in the dying seconds against South Sydney. Now the verdict is in.

David Klemmer was sent off on the full-time siren. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

Newcastle firebrand David Klemmer has avoided suspension for the elbow that got him dramatically sent off in Friday’s loss to South Sydney.

Klemmer was given his marching orders in the dying stages of the game when the Knights prop gave Rabbitohs forward Daniel Suluka-Fifita some rough treatment after a tackle.

Twice Klemmer’s elbow made contact with Suluka-Fifita’s head when he was on the ground, prompting Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell to rush in to his teammate’s aid.

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David Klemmer was sent off seconds before full-time in the Knights’ loss to South Sydney. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

The incident sparked a minor melee from both teams, before the referee ultimately sent Klemmer from the field.

“It’s reckless contact on the ground, direct to the head,” the referee said.

Klemmer was hit with a grade one dangerous contact on Sunday morning, his first offence that will result in him paying a $1000 fine should he plead guilty.

The incident marred the end of the Rabbitohs’ entertaining 40-28 win over the Knights on Friday night, in which Souths’ Cody Walker starred and was ably backed up by Latrell Mitchell.

Klemmer was involved in a scuffle moments earlier with Souths forward Keaon Koloamatangi and appeared to take out his frustrations Suluka-Fifita in the final play of the game.

The Newcastle prop made a beeline for Suluka-Fifita and appeared to elbow him on the ground before Mitchell ran in to pull Klemmer off his teammate.

Referee Todd Smith sperated both teams before calling out Klemmer and sending him off.

“It is reckless contact on the ground directly to the head, you’re off,” Smith said.

The Rabbitohs lost halfback Lachlan Ilias to a HIA in the first minute of their clash with the Knights and he was ruled out for the rest of the game.

Just 30 seconds into the game Ilias was involved in a head clash with teammate Tevita Tatola that forced him off for a HIA which he failed.

“What has happened here,” Fox League commentator Dan Ginnane said at the time.

Latrell Mitchell was placed on report for a high shot on Knights winger Dominic Young. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

“Mitchell wanted him to get up immediately.

“Young tried to put on that footwork again and get on the outside and Mitchell was having none of it.

“What is that left arm doing there? Is it collecting Young high? Probably.”

The spiteful moments peppered a try-fest thanks to a masterclass from veteran No. 6 Walker.

Walker finished with two tries, three try assists, a linebreak and a linebreak assist, while Thomas Burgess ran for almost 200 metres off the bench.

The Rabbitohs lost halfback Lachlan Ilias in the opening 30 seconds following an ugly head clash with his teammate, Tevita Tatola but Walker took control from there.

Souths scored the opening try through Walker before the Knights hit back with three tries in a 10-minute period. Young scored in the 14th minute following a crazy 60 seconds of play which saw Souths almost score before Newcastle went 90 metres.

Klemmer and Bradman Best scored the next two before Souths winger Richard Kennar pulled two back — he would finish the game with a hat-trick.

Walker then took a brilliant intercept and raced 80 metres to score on the stroke of halftime.

Originally published as NRL 2022: David Klemmer avoids suspension in Rabbitohs’ 40-28 win over Knights