NRL Round 5: Key moments, talking points, injuries, suspensions

The NRL’s Match Review Committee has slapped Parramatta Bailey Simonsson with a hefty ban for his high shot on James Tedesco.

James Tedesco in action for the Roosters. Picture: NRL Photos

Bailey Simonsson will miss two games for the tackle which left James Tedesco sidelined. The Eels winger was sin-binned for the sickening high shot which concussed the Roosters star.

Tedesco left the field in the 24th minute but did not return during his side's 28-20 win over Parramatta. He is now expected to miss the Roosters next clash against the Storm on Thursday night.

Simonsson was charged with a grade three careless high tackle. An early guilty plea is two games but if he fights the charge and losses he will miss three matches.

Despite Tedesco’s absence, the Roosters ran out comfortable winners over the Eels to improve to a 3-1 start to the season.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson weighed in on the incident after the match.

“I was expecting a send-off,” Robinson said.

James Tedesco is hit high by Eels winger Baily Simonsson.

“To be honest I was ropeable at the time that it wasn’t a send-off, and then I looked at it after the game and I was a bit more 50-50 when I took some time to have a look at it.”

NRL great Michael Ennis earlier said Simonsson was lucky to only be sin-binned.

“He came in with the shoulder, hit James Tedesco in the head — I thought he was lucky not to be sent off,” Ennis said on Fox League.

“I don’t think there was malice in it but the fact there was direct contact with the head ... with what we’ve seen, it’s something we’re trying to stamp out of the game.

“Obviously he’s gone to the sin bin, Tedesco won’t return — I thought he was lucky to stay on the field.”

Tedesco will now miss the Roosters’ clash with Melbourne under the NRL’s new concussion protocols.

James Tedesco was ruled out after the high shot from Bailey Simonsson. Picture: Getty Images

“I knew 10 minutes into the game that I’ve lost (Tedesco) for two weeks, so that wasn’t a great feeling,” Robinson said.

“And the first thing was I wanted to make sure that he was okay. He looked pretty good in there but we’ll have to see after tonight and tomorrow.”

Tedesco’s exit resulted in Joseph Suaalii taking over at fullback for the Roosters, and the rugby-bound star excelled as he laid on two tries for his teammates.

Haze Dunster is Simonsson’s likely replacement for their Easter Monday clash against the Eels.

The Eels are hopeful Shaun Lane will make his return.

Originally published as NRL Round 5: Key moments, talking points, injuries, suspensions