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Jasper Bruce

Tatola escapes ban, free for NRL prelim

Souths' Junior Tatola has been fined, but not suspended, for an incident in the win over Cronulla. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

South Sydney's player of the year Junior Tatola has escaped suspension for his tackle on Ronaldo Mulitalo and will be available for selection in next week's NRL preliminary final against Penrith.

Tatola twisted Mulitalo's arm into a dangerous position midway through the second half of the Rabbitohs' 38-12 semi-final defeat of Cronulla on Saturday night.

The prop forward was placed on report but was permitted to stay on the field. A trainer attended to Mulitalo after the tackle but he too remained in play.

After the game, Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou was confident Tatola would not be suspended for his tackle.

"There's no doubt he put (Mulitalo's arm) into a position where he'll probably get fined but he didn't go on with it," he said.

"I'm pretty sure he'll be OK."

For his grade one dangerous contact charge, Tatola can accept a $1800 fine but would be forced to pay $2500 if he unsuccessfully challenged his charge at the judiciary.

A suspension would have given the Rabbitohs cause for concern, given they are already missing front-rower Thomas Burgess, who was handed a two-match suspension for his high tackle on James Tedesco in last week's elimination final.

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