South Sydney face the prospect of losing star forward Sam Burgess for two matches after the Englishman was charged with contrary conduct by the match review committee.
Burgess was slugged with a grade one charge for an alleged ‘squirrel grip’ on Melbourne centre Will Chambers in Friday’s defeat by the Storm at AAMI Park.
Making a tackle, Burgess appeared to place his hands between the legs of Chambers, who remained prostrate on the ground afterwards.
While the charge itself only carries a base penalty of one week, Burgess’ loading from four prior offences means he would miss two matches even with an early guilty plea.
The loss of the 24-year-old would be a huge blow for the Rabbitohs who’ve lost three of their last four matches to slip off the top of the ladder.
Should he plead guilty he would miss facing a red-hot Manly on Friday in Gosford followed by the meeting with a Canterbury side who are gunning for a top-four spot.
Souths made the unusual step of issuing a statement on Monday afternoon to say they’re considering their options and would be assessing the incident.
But there’s a good chance the club will opt to roll the dice and fight the charge as Burgess will not be punished for a longer spell should he challenge the match review committee’s ruling in front of the NRL judiciary on Wednesday evening and lose.
The news caps off a difficult month for Souths, who are looking to win a first premiership in 43 years, with injuries hitting fullback Greg Inglis and five-eighth John Sutton.
Inglis is tipped to return for the Manly game at Bluetongue Stadium with the third-placed Sea Eagles able to close the gap to a single point on the ladder with a victory.
Burgess isn’t the first player to be accused of the squirrel grip in the NRL.
In 2008 Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen was accused of squeezing the testicles of former Gold Coast utility Josh Graham.
Gallen wasn’t charged for the incident due to a lack of evidence but Graham was adamant at the time claiming the NSW star had “squeezed his wheels”.
Manly are also facing the loss of key back-rower Anthony Watmough for the game.
Watmough hyper-extended his knee in the win over the Warriors on Sunday and the club were still awaiting results of the scans on Monday to determine the extent of the damage sustained by the NSW and Test star.
Brisbane are coming to terms with the news Justin Hodges will be sidelined for up to a year after rupturing his Achilles tendon in the Broncos’ narrow win over St George Illawarra.
The victory kept alive their flickering finals hopes, but without Hodges the Broncos have struggled in attack for large spells this season.
However, hooker Andrew McCullough insists the team will have to learn how to win games without the representative centre, starting against Parramatta on Friday.
“It is sad for Hodgo but in saying that he would want us to play well, turn it around against Parra and take steps from there,” McCullough said.
“It can’t hinge on one person being injured.
“Someone has to fill that void. He (Hodges) would want someone to get that job done.”
DMW
Guest
I watched a replay. I saw no explosion, no debris or evidence that any brain was in fact present. The case rests.
DMW
Guest
I'd give him 6 weeks for merely implying he had a brain. I'd have liked to see the evidence to the contrary...
Clark
Guest
In my opinion he probably should have copped he same penalty James Graham got in th GF. Souths at this rate will be gone in straight sets in september, I just think they got a bit cocky and cant cope when it gets tough. This weeks game will give a good indication.
Shag On A Rock
Guest
They've been good if you don't mind having a road sign thrown through your car window. Or if you don't mind looking at nude photos of blokes. Or if you don't mind having your genitals ripped out. Deviants and grubs.
Renegade
Guest
I'd say Paul Gallen has provided a new meaning to the term 'Perpetual Motion'.. can't say the same for Sammy. And i'm not suggesting Burgess is over-rated or anything like that.... would be in any World 13 however I don't think he is the best, definitely top 5.
Devout Saint
Guest
I do think he should have received at least a 4 week suspension. I am certainly no condoning Sam actions, by any means.
Devout Saint
Guest
I have not fallen for anything. I have been saying that Sam Burgess is the best forward in the comp for a few years now. I was ahead of the media again. lol When I first saw him I said that he was like Ray Price, but in bigger body. Ray Price is one of the best forwards I have ever seen. He was called Mr Perpetual Motion, because he never stoped and he was every where.
Yawhoa of NSW and now WA
Guest
These Burgess boys have been amazing for Souths Sydney and are proving themselves to be top shelf. But i would say Sam Burgess going for the "nuts" was a real "boofhead moment" and has given himself a bad reputation that will stick for some time. Even though i am a fan he deserves 4 weeks suspension.
up in the north
Guest
Maybe he just went nuts
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Bloody hell, Sam is getting suspended, so Luke Burgess comes back from injury. It's a Burgess factory!
Shag On A Rock
Guest
No he's not. The grubbiest, yes. Best? No. Missed tackles, error and penalty rate, way too high. And this is the third time this year he's been suspended. BTW. Sam admitted to grabbing Chambers by the genitals. Deviant.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
I cant believe the lack of Scrotiny over it
Renegade
Guest
Hey DS, Was it you that wrote on a thread yesterday something along the lines of "believing the media hype" or channel 9 boys club.... looks like you've fallen for it.
Shag On A Rock
Guest
I agree Pot. Burgess is in the same class as Ferguson. Indecent assault.
Shag On A Rock
Guest
Burgess pleaded guilty. He said it was a "brain explosion. He did it and the film showed that he did it. Proven grub.
Devout Saint
Guest
Adam Reynolds is the most over rated player in the comp. I think Souths would be better off with Luke Keary at halfback and Sutton at 5/8.
Shag On A Rock
Guest
He's the best forward at grabbing players by the nuts, but that's about it. A 25 carot grub.
Devout Saint
Guest
Sam Burgess is the best forward in the comp.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Any where else but the footy field its sexual assault, Only no bloke would ever humiliate themselves and press charges.
Australian Rules
Guest
I get that people giggle at it, but the fact is, it's bloody dangerous and a total grub act. I can't believe that 2 weeks is the penalty.