Storm enforcer Asofa-Solomona banned for elbow to rival's head
Storm enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona is facing a three-game ban for elbowing after being issued his fifth charge in the past two seasons.
Asofa-Solomona was issued a 2-3 game suspension pending his plea after he elbowed Manly's Jake Simpkin in the head while trying to earn a quick play-the-ball on Saturday night.
Melbourne's try to Harry Grant from the subsequent play was disallowed because of Asofa-Solomona's foul play, a decision that proved critical in the Sea Eagles 18-16 upset win.
Unless Asofa-Solomona successfully appeals his grade 2 dangerous contact charge at the judiciary, he will now miss Thursday's clash with the Roosters and a trip to face the Eels at Commbank Stadium in round 22. An unsuccessful judiciary challenge would also rule the Kiwi star out of the following clash against Brisbane.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Courier-Mail
8 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Wallabies: Rob Valetini fit for second Test against Lions
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rugby. Followed categories will be added to My News. Wallabies star Rob Valetini has declared himself 'good to go' for Australia's do-or-die clash with the British and Irish Lions on Saturday night at the MCG and has backed the decision not to play him in his team's first Test loss in Brisbane. The presence of the intimidating flanker was sorely missed by the Wallabies in the Lions' 27-19 weekend win at Suncorp Stadium. Missing the game hurt, Valetini thought he was a 'shoo-in' to overcome a calf injury and be fit for the match. 'But it was a smart idea just to have a week off and get through some more training and a bit of more loading through the calf,' Valetini said in Melbourne. 'I did a session Saturday morning. I did a pretty tough session there, so (the calf) feels good to go. 'I had to put all my focus through my recovery and getting through all my exercise and trying to get the body right for the next two Tests.' Rob Valetini is ready to return to Australia's forward pack on Saturday night against the British and Irish Lions. Picture:However the third Test on Saturday week in Sydney will mean nothing if the Lions clinch the three-game series with a win at the MCG. 'I was eager to get on the field (in Brisbane) but couldn't, and that's the challenge for us this week, knowing what's coming and trying to prepare for that,' said Melbourne-born Valetini, who hopes to deliver a strong performance in front of family and friends. Not that he's feeling any extra pressure to do so despite the series being on the line for the Wallabies. 'I feel like it's just another game of rugby and something I've been playing ever since I was young,' Valetini said. 'I just try to go out there and just do my job, whether that's carrying (the ball) or doing the tackling. I'm just trying to do my bit for the team, and hopefully I can help the other boys as well.' Veteran Wallabies prop James Slipper welcomed the likely return of Valetini, a two-time John Eales Medal winner. 'His size definitely helps – he's a really good player,' Slipper said of the 26-year-old ACT Brumbies back-rower. 'He gives a lot of boys around him a lot of confidence just the way he goes about his business.' Wallabies prop James Slipper has now played in two series against the British and Irish Lions. Picture: David Gray / AFP) Slipper suggested the Wallabies pack would also be boosted by the expected return of towering lock Will Skelton, who also missed the first Test with a calf problem. 'He (Valetini) won't be the only one that we'll be looking forward to seeing back out there this week. We've got a pretty full fit squad to pick from this weekend,' Slipper said. Slipper has now played in two series against the Lions after also being part of the Wallabies squad that lost 2-1 in 2013 when Australia won the second Test of the series – also in Melbourne – to ensure a decider a week later. 'The belief is there in the group. It's about diving into that and making sure we prepare really well,' he said. Originally published as Rob Valetini set to return from calf injury to play for Wallabies in do-or-die battle with British and Irish Lions

News.com.au
8 hours ago
- News.com.au
Nacim Dilmi to succeed Sara Ryan as head trainer at Domeland
Former Godolphin assistant trainer Nacim Dilmi has been announced as the new head trainer for Domeland, taking the reins from Sara Ryan. French born Dilmi, 37, has spent the past eight years working for Godolphin Australia, most recently heading up the operation's Melbourne stable under James Cummings. Following Godolphin's decision to dissolve its private training model at the end of this season, Dilmi was offered numerous roles at prominent stables in Melbourne and Sydney but said the opportunity to lead Domeland into a new era of success was irresistible. 'I've always wanted to be a trainer and with James Cummings going to Hong Kong, it was the right time for me to step up,' Dilmi said. 'When Domeland rang me to offer me the job, it was really exciting. 'You always know when their horses are racing, and you can spot their red and yellow colours a mile away. I've been watching most of their runners and Domeland have some exciting horses that I'm looking forward to getting my hands on.' Domeland managing director King Cheng said he was thrilled to secure a trainer the calibre of Dilmi. 'We're incredibly excited to welcome Nacim to the Domeland team,' Cheng said. 'He brings world-class experience from Godolphin and will build on the strong foundation set by Sara over the last couple of years. We believe Nacim is the right person to guide our stable into its next chapter.' Dilmi will link up with Domeland on August 4, taking over from Ryan who will establish her own public training venture. During her time as Domeland's head trainer, Ryan trained more than 50 winners of almost $6.5 million in prizemoney. 'I'm incredibly grateful to Domeland for giving me the opportunity to launch my training career,' Ryan said. 'It has been a rewarding journey, and I'm looking forward to the next chapter and new challenges ahead.' Domeland's stable features in excess of 50 registered horses, with facilities including 35 boxes at Wyong racecourse and a 260-acre Kulnura property that features a 3000m grass track.

The Age
9 hours ago
- The Age
Two Melbourne-based soccer players front court over match-fixing allegations
Two Melbourne-based soccer players have fronted court to face a raft of match-fixing charges amid allegations one of them deliberately elicited yellow cards to manipulate the outcome of online bets as part of an elaborate fraud scheme. Japanese-born Western United A-League midfielder Riku Danzaki has been charged with 10 offences, including allegations he deliberately received a yellow card during a match between Western United Football Club and Sydney Football Club on April 27 as part of an illegal betting ring. Danzaki, 25, whose contract was not extended by Western United at the end of the 2025 season, is also accused of attempting to profit from the scheme by placing a bet in an attempt to win thousands of dollars. He appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Monday where his lawyer asked for him to be considered for a diversion program to avoid criminal conviction. Among a spate of other charges, Danzaki is accused of entering into an 'agreement or arrangement' that 'corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome' with the intention of obtaining financial advantage or causing financial disadvantage in connection with betting for matches between April 26 and May 22 this year. Loading Danzaki's co-accused, Yuta Hirayama, a striker for the Bayside Argonauts, also appeared in court charged with 17 offences, including several counts of using corrupt conduct information for betting purposes and facilitating conduct that corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome. Charge sheet documents released by the Melbourne Magistrates' Court allege Hirayama knew that Danzaki would receive a yellow card during the April 27 match and used that information to place a $250 at Bet365 at odds of $6.50 to win $1375. Hirayama is accused of also possessing information that Danzaki would receive a yellow card during a match between Western United and Auckland Football Club on May 3. He then allegedly used that information to place several more bets, including a $213 bet with Bet365, where he made a profit of almost $1600.