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.

Asofa-Solomona missed last year’s grand final after he hit Roosters prop Lindsay Collins high in the first minute of the preliminary final, a shot that earned him a five-week suspension and knocked Collins out of the contest. Asofa-Solomona has three other charges that were punished with fines to his name in the past two seasons.

Simpkin (careless high tackle) and Canterbury pair Jacob Kiraz (dangerous throw) and Max King (crusher tackle) were also charged on Sunday morning, but will be free to play next weekend by taking early guilty pleas.

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