'Mate, you're off': Roosters gun facing ban for ugly act

Roosters centre Fetalaiga Pauga is likely to face time on the sidelines after he was sent off for a high shot on Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey.

In the 72nd minute with his side leading 26-8, Pauga clotheslined Tracey as the Bulldogs attacked their line.

“That’s direct contact to the head and he’s going to leave the field here, that’s a swinging arm,” league great Mick Ennis said on Fox League.

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Referee Grant Atkins could be heard saying to Bunker official Peter Gough “that looks bad to me” as the decision process was going on.

“That’s a bad one,” Ennis added.

Tracey was attended to immediately by Bulldogs medical staff with the fullback staying down for a long time.

Eventually, Pauga was called by Atkins with the referee not even offering an explanation.

“Mate, you’re off,” Atkins told Pauga.

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The referee went on to explain to captain James Tedesco the tackle was “carless, high force and direct”.

“We don’t have much choice there mate,” he added.

Tracey eventually sat and left the field with assistance for his HIA.

Post-game, Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo provided an update on his fullback.

“He’s not well … I’m disappointed, we are probably going to lose him next week,” he said.

“It is what it is.”

Roosters coach Trent Robinson conceded the hit “wasn’t good”.

“It’s not great to see a player like that go off like that, it was tough,” he said.

“We don’t want that, either side, in our game.

“It’s disappointing. He’s (Pauga) suffering a bit in there.”

Pauga wasn’t the only player sent from the field with Roosters halfback Sam Walker sin binned a few minutes later for a professional foul.