NRL 2023: Nathan Brown charged for ugly tackle as Roosters back in finals race

The resurgent Roosters will be missing Nathan Brown as they try to keep their slim finals hopes alive after he was charged for an ugly high shot. WATCH THE INCIDENT

Tom Trbojevic. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty

Sydney Roosters forward Nathan Brown will miss just one game despite being sent from the field on Thursday night.

Brown was sent-off for a high tackle on Manly’s Ben Trbojevic in what was the Roosters enfocer’s first involvement in the game having had to wait 63 minutes to get a taste of the action.

He was hit with a grade two careless high tackle charge which will result in a one-game ban with an early guilty plea.

The Roosters play the Dolphins on Saturday night as they try to keep their slim finals hopes alive.

MATCH REPORT: ROOSTERS BACK IN THE FINALS HUNT

By Martin Gabor

The Roosters are back in the hunt for the finals after they beat the Sea Eagles 26-16, but they are set to be without one of their weapons after fiery forward Nathan Brown was sent off just moments after he came on for a vicious swinging arm on Ben Trbojevic.

Brown had been on the field for all of 30 seconds when he rushed out of the line and whacked Trbojevic high which sparked a melee between two teams that were clearly fed up with the endless flow of penalties on Thursday night.

WATCH THE INCIDENT ABOVE AND VOTE IN OUR POLL

Referee Ashley Klein said there was “intent” in what Brown did, leaving him no chance but to reduce the Roosters to 12 players for the final 18 minutes.

The Sea Eagles were already down a man at that stage after Toff Sipley was sin binned for repeated infringements.

It’s too early to say the dreaded ‘c’ word has returned, but it sure felt like there was some sort of crackdown on Thursday.

A staggering 13 penalties and eight set restarts were blown in the first half, and that followed a frustrating 16 infringements in the earlier NRLW contest which angered Dragons coach Jamie Soward.

Nathan Brown walks from the field after being sent off. Picture: Getty

It was hard for either side to assert any control with so many stoppages ruining the flow of the contest, and it was equally puzzling that no one was sent to the sin bin in the first half given Klein was so happy to blow the whistle.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves could have easily been marched for a very late shot on Jake Trbojevic, while Daniel Tupou was penalised for taking out Tolu Koula as he chased a kick on a night where there were a combined 34 penalties and restarts.

DARE TO DREAM

So you’re telling me there’s a chance.

It’s going to take a Lloyd Christmas miracle for the Roosters to make the finals but the calculator says it’s still mathematically possible for them to get there after they moved to within two points of eighth spot.

The pre-season favourites have struggled in attack all year but they channelled the 2013 Grand Final side with some flashes of brilliance, including veteran Daniel Tupou who scored two tries and wound back the clock with a leaping effort to get his side on the board with a play eerily similar to what we saw from him 10 years ago.

They may have left their run too late, but Trent Robinson still has some tricks up his sleeve having promoted Drew Hutchison into the halves where he controlled things well and nailed a 40/20.

They have some very winnable games coming up, but they’re going to have to treat every match like it’s a grand final if they want to sneak in.

NO WELCOME MAT FOR LODGE

His first involvement was a heavy hit on former teammate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, but it wasn’t a happy homecoming for Matt Lodge who lasted just seven minutes before he came off with a knee injury.

Having been released by the Roosters last month, Lodge was tipped to make a statement on Thursday night but will now be fighting to play again this season in a further blow to Manly’s front row stocks.

The Sea Eagles were already without big men Taniela Paseka, Josh Aloiai and Sean Keppie, with the latest injury a hammer blow after they had resurrected their finals hopes with a couple of gritty wins.

Anthony Seibold’s side could finish the round three points behind eighth with a horror fortnight coming up with games against the Panthers and Warriors on the horizon.

Nathan Brown was sent off. Picture: Fox Sports

Turbo breaks silence, reveals shock Manly return date

—Dean Ritchie

Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic’s pectoral rehabilitation is on track with the star fullback well aware his scheduled 11-week recovery could have him back in two of the finals.

While reluctant to declare himself a certain starter in the finals, Trbojevic has revealed his recuperation is “going good” and his arm came out of a sling last week.

The Sea Eagles will also need to carefully consider whether it’s worth risking their $1m a year champion for a game or two over the back-end of this season.

And, clearly, Manly has the task of reaching the finals before Trbojevic can play.

Trbojevic injured his pectoral just two minutes in State of Origin II on June 21 in Brisbane.

This masthead revealed in July that Trbojevic could be available for a shock finals comeback.

“The time frame is 11 weeks. They say 12 weeks is probably the number but (maybe) a week earlier, we’ll see.

“(Week two), I’d be a chance. It would have to be a few weeks into the finals, that’s if we get there.

Tom Trbojevic says his rehabilitation is progressing well and he could make a return if Manly make the finals. Picture: NRL

“I’m not thinking about it – I just want to get myself right and we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. I’m not getting my hopes up too much.

“I just got out of the sling a week ago so I’m getting back to moving it. I will start my strength pec stuff next week. I’ve got to see the surgeon next week.

“It’s weak but I’m not in any pain.

“I haven’t really asked them this but I’m assuming that once you get your strength back then you’re good to go and start training again. I assume that’s the process.

Asked how he was progressing in his recovery, Trbojevic said: “Yeah, it’s going good.

“It’s obviously hard to watch (games) and I’d love to be out there but I have come to terms with it and I’m just trying to help out where I can.

“I sit in the (coaching) box and help out there. I re-watch the game and look at ideas on how we can be better.”

Tom Trbojevic injured his pec during the State of Origin. Picture: Adam Head

It was initially expected Trbojevic would miss the remainder of this season but the club now has optimism he could return for a late, and anticipated, cameo should Manly sneak into the playoffs.

Brothers Jake and Ben Trbojevic are back playing together after mid-season injuries.

Manly is aware Dolphins halfback Sean O'Sullivan was ready to return from a pectoral injury after a 12-game lay-off.

O’Sullivan injured his pectoral against Brisbane in round four but was back in round 17 against Parramatta. He could have played in round 16 but the Dolphins had a bye.

Reuben Garrick has done a sound job replacing Trbojevic at fullback.

Originally published as NRL 2023: Nathan Brown charged for ugly tackle as Roosters back in finals race