Devastating twist for Tariq Sims after suspension for high tackle
Dragons forward Tariq Sims may have played his last game for the club after he was handed a four-match ban for knocking Sharks star Connor Tracey with his shoulder.
The Dragons are unlikely to make the finals and Sims was charged with a grade three dangerous careless high tackle.
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Sims left the winger motionless on the ground and in need of stretchering from the field after the horror hit in the first half.
His dangerous hit earned Sims a four-match ban given the back-rower's history of two previous charges this season.
With the Dragons' finals hopes all but dashed, the decision to accept the ban means Sims is highly unlike to play again this season.
The forward is also off to the Storm in 2023.
The Roosters are in 8th place with a four point gap ahead of the Dragons.
Manly and the Raiders are also ahead of the 11th placed Dragons who would need a form slump from the Roosters to make finals.
NRL claim Sims should have been sent off for head-high tackle
While Sims remained on the field after the head high, NRL head of football Graham Annesley claimed the Dragons forward should have been marched.
"They're very quick decisions that they have to make during the course of the game," he told reporters.
"I've spoken on many occasions about the differences in the process, a very quick decision on the field by the match officials and a much more deliberate and intensive examination of the facts that the match review committee ... but my opinion is he should have been sent from the field."
Tariq Sims is sent for 10 as Connor Tracey is stretcher off the field.
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Had Sims unsuccessfully challenged his charge at the NRL judiciary, the ban would have stretched into the first game of his career with the Storm.
Tracey was up and about in the sheds after the hit but is looking at some time on the sidelines himself, with Matt Ikuvalu, Mawene Hiroti and Lachie Miller his potential replacements for this weekend's match against Wests Tigers.
with AAP
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