The already injury savaged Gold Coast Titans saying their prayers, that veteran pivot Mat Rogers can avoid any match bans from the NRL match review officals tomorrow.
Rogers, who has already copped a 4 week ban for a hit on Parramatta custodian Luke Burt earlier in the NRL year, wouldn’t comment on his latest high tackle on rookie Penrith outside back Lachlan Coote – one of several sour notes for Rogers and the Titans’ in their 36-22 loss at Skilled Park on Saturday night.
With no.7 Scott Prince outed with a fractured arm, leading forward Luke Bailey missing with an ankle injury and improving back-rower Mark Minichiello also suffering ankle complaints, flyer Chris Walker with an Achilles injury and winger Brenton Bowen with a facial injury all sidelined, the Gold Coast simply can’t fathom having to lose another player of Rogers’ experience and skill-level as they struggle to stay inside the top 8 with arguably the toughest run home of all.
“It was just a reflex tackle,” said Titans coach John Cartwright, almost dismissive of the incident.
Coote, who was stunned as Rogers flung out his arm, felt the dual international’s attempt to stop him was just a “lazy tackle”.
“It didn’t hurt, there was really nothing in it,” said Coote.