Dolphins forward Felise Kaufusi and Storm playmaker Jahrome Hughes will seek to have Dangerous Contact charges downgraded at the judiciary in a bid to be available in Round 4.
Kaufusi was charged with Grade Two Dangerous Contact for a tackle on Newcastle’s Jackson Hastings that resulted in the Tonga international being sin-binned in Friday night’s 36-20 win over the Knights.
The Dolphins are seeking to have the grading lowered to allow Kaufusi to play against the Broncos on Friday night.
A downgrade would leave Kaufusi with a fine, while if the challenge is unsuccessful, his suspension will rise from three to four weeks as it is his third offence.
Hughes faced a one-match ban with an early guilty plea to a Grade 2 Dangerous Contact on opposite number Tanah Boyd but he will seek a downgrade in a bid to face Wests Tigers in Round 4.
If Hughes is unsuccessful he will miss two matches.
Roosters star Joseph Manu will miss his side’s Round 5 clash with the Eels after pleading guilty to a Grade 2 Careless High Tackle charge.
Manu was charged for the tackle on Rabbitohs centre Isaiah Tass which led to him being sin-binned in the final stages of Friday night’s win and with the Roosters having a bye in Round 4, he will miss the Eels clash.
Roosters prop Fletcher Baker (high contact) will contest a fine at the NRL Judiciary on Tuesday night while South Sydney’s Michael Chee Kam and Cody Walker (contrary contact) are among 15 players who have accepted fines.
Raiders hooker Tom Starling was charged for a 22nd minute tackle on Sharks five-eighth Matt Moylan in Sunday night’s win and has taken the early guilty plea.
Storm centre Justin Olam was also been cited for his high shot on Boyd in the 18th minute of Saturday’s match on the Gold Coast, which was deemed a fair tackle during the match, and is fined $750.
Titans pair David Fifita (Dangerous Contact) and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Shoulder Charge) accepted fines stemming from the same clash.
In the Cowboys-Warriors match that followed, three players have accepted fines.
Cowboys forward Jeremiah Nanai has accepted a $3000 fine for contact on Te Maire Martin given it his third and subsequent offence.
Martin was also cited for a tripping charge two minutes later with his fine attracting $750.
Warriors forward Marata Niukore was charged for a hip drop tackle on Reece Robson in the seventh minute and was fined $1000.
Knights debutant Dylan Lucas has accepted a $1500 fine for a Grade 1 Crusher Tackle on Dolphins centre Euan Aitken.
In Thursday night’s shootout with Manly, Eels trio Mitchell Moses, Maika Sivo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard have all taken the early guilty plea.
Manly also had two players charged after the 34-30 victory with Taniela Paseka (Careless High Tackle) and Josh Aloiai (Crusher Tackle) accepting fines.
Source: NRL.Com