From bad to worse as Rabbitohs star faces ban

South Sydney's loss to Penrith on Thursday night has gone from bad to worse with one player facing a lengthy suspension.

Rabbitohs forward Jacob Host can accept a two-game ban for dangerous contact on Penrith playmaker Brad Schneider. He risks three weeks on the sideline if he fights it at the judiciary.

Host made contact with Schneider's legs after a kick late in the game.

READ MORE: Souths skipper's blunt response to Bennett noise

READ MORE: 'Body was never so sore': Xerri's warning to NRL

READ MORE: 'Strong message' as star banned for match fixing

He was sin-binned by referee Adam Gee for the act.

"Very high risk of injury, running through his legs," Gee said.

The Bunnies were down 30-12 at the time and went on to lose the game 42-12.

"He's not really trying to attack the leg of Schneider at all, he's trying to block the ball," Cameron Smith said in Nine's commentary.

"But in the motion of kicking ends up making contact with the leg. There is no intent at all."

Watch the 2024 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

Panthers centre Izack Tago is facing a one-game ban for a hip-drop tackle.

Tago came down on the leg of young Rabbitohs fullback Jye Gray early in the game.

Gray hobbled around for a while afterwards but eventually had to be taken off the field.

Gray joined halfback Dean Hawkins on the bench as both youngsters failed to finish the game.

It gives more headaches to caretaker coach Ben Hornby for next week.