Asofa-Solomona to Miss NRL Grand Final

Melbourne Storm's prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona will miss the NRL grand final against Penrith after his appeal to downgrade a four-game suspension for a high tackle on Sydney Roosters' Lindsay Collins was unsuccessful. Despite flying to Sydney and enlisting the help of lawyer Nick Ghabar, the judiciary panel upheld the grade-three charge, extending his ban to five matches. The incident, which left Collins concussed, dominated the build-up to the grand final. Asofa-Solomona expressed disappointment with the verdict but vowed to support his team. Rookie Lazarus Vaalepu is expected to replace him in the grand final. The Storm's unsuccessful appeal contrasts with their past appeals, such as Billy Slater's clearance in 2018.