Latrell Mitchell learns judiciary fate over ugly tackle

Latrell Mitchell has learned his punishment from the NRL just hours after declaring himself ready to play State of Origin Game One.

Latrell was sin binned. Ofahengaue was not. Photo: Fox Sports

Latrell Mitchell has been charged with a grade one dangerous contact offence after his contentious tackle during the Rabbitohs’ win over Parramatta.

Mitchell was sent to the sin bin over the so-called “hip drop” tackle and NSW State of Origin coach Michael Maguire may have been nervous watching on.

The tackle came at the same time Mitchell backflipped to declare himself available to play the State of Origin series opener.

With the Eels attacking the Rabbitohs line, Mitchell was the first man in on a tackle on Sean Russell and put pressure on the back of the centre’s leg.

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Russell grabbed for his ankle but got to his feet to play the ball.

Two plays later after the Eels were tackled on the last, the Bunker called out Mitchell for a hip drop.

Mitchell was the bottom Souths player of the three. Photo: Fox Sports

The NRL has tried to crack down on the tackle style this year, but the NRL announced on Sunday, Mitchell has only been hit with a Grade one offence — and he will be free tom play in Origin I.

The charge carries a fine of $3000, but he will avoid suspension and is available to be selected by Maguire when he announces his team on Sunday evening.

Mitchell faces a two-game suspension if he challenges the charges and loses.

It was his third dangerous contact offence.

The tackle got tongues wagging with most commentators suggesting Mitchell was unlucky to be sent to the bin.

Fox League’s Warren Smith said “it wasn’t a classic hip drop”.

At halftime, Mal Meninga said he thought it was a hip drop.

“He’s lost his feet and slid down the legs and landed on young Russell’s calves. It’ll be interesting to see where the penalty arrives … it could be anything, I’m not quite sure.”

Storm captain Harry Grant told Fox League the hip drop was “hard to understand”.

“At the end of the day, you’re using your weight to pull them to the ground,” he said.

“If you play it in normal time, it gives you more understanding. But it’s a hard one and one for them to deal with.”

Social media erupted over the moment however, claiming it wasn’t a hip drop tackle.

iPaper’s sport journalist John Davidson tweeted: “That looks tough on Latrell. He is the first man in the tackle, he doesn’t come in late on a player who’s already locked up. Seems like the NRL is hip-drop mad at the moment.”

Another fan said: “Hopefully Latrell doesn’t get suspended. It wasn’t worse than what Val Holmes did, and Holmes got off.”

Latrell couldn't believe it. Photo: Fox Sports

Latrell couldn't believe it … again. Photo: Fox Sports

Ofahengaue had a more traditional hip drop. Photo: Fox Sports

Most people felt sorry for Mitchell after his first half sin bin.

When asking the referee about the call, Mitchell threw his hands in the air before carrying on with the kick for touch.

Smith said: “Latrell Mitchell, he is incensed, he can’t believe it — and frankly, neither can you and I.”

But the Rabbitohs made the most of the penalty, going up 28-16 and running away with a late shootout as both sides scored two tries apiece in the final 16 minutes.

For the Eels, it’s another brutal loss, the side’s fifth in a row.

It’s particularly brutal for the Eels after the club parted ways with head coach Arthur, who was in his 11th year in the role.

The Rabbitohs won the shootout 42-26.