Manly is facing the possibility of being without forward Darcy Lussick for up to three weeks after he was slapped with a grade 2 striking charge by the NRL match review committee on Monday.
Lussick was charged for an incident involving North Queensland’s Ashton Sims in the 44th minute of Manly’s 8-6 victory at Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville.
The Sea Eagles forward will miss two matches with an early plea, but could face up to a three-match ban if he fights the charge at the NRL judiciary and loses.
Lussick was one of three players charged by the NRL match review committee with Cronulla’s Colin Best (tripping) and South Sydney’s Sam Burgess (careless high tackle) also earning the ire of the panel.
Burgess will be free to take on Manly in Friday night’s blockbuster clash at Bluetongue Stadium if he takes the early plea to his grade 2 charge. If the influential Englishman fights the charge at the NRL judiciary, he would be risking a one-match ban if found guilty.
The Rabbitohs forward was charged for his tackle on William Zillman in the 2nd minute of his side’s 22-18 victory over Gold Coast at Skilled Park.
Cronulla’s Best was charged for his 21st minute challenge on Titan Bill Tupou, but will be free to take on the Knights on Monday night.
All three players charged will have until midday on Tuesday to enter their pleas.
