Dragons forward Matt Prior has been referred directly to the NRL judiciary for his tackle on Cowboys five-eighth Johnathan Thurston.
The NRL Match Review Committee today decided to refer the incident from the 54th minute of the Cowboys-Dragons clash at Dairy Farmers Stadium directly to the NRL Judiciary.
Prior was sent-off in the 55th minute and will now have to plead his case at the NRL judiciary.
Four other players were charged by the match review committee, with Eels’ Reni Maitua, Cowboys’ James Segeyaro and Knights’ Joel Edwards all facing one week on the sidelines, while Roosters’ Jake Friend has been charged but will not miss any matches.
Maitua was charged with a grade 1 careless high tackle on Bulldogs hooker Michael Ennis and will miss his side’s round 10 clash with the Raiders if he takes the early plea.
Segeyaro was charged with a grade 2 careless high tackle, on Dragons halfback Ben Hornby and will be suspended for the Cowboys match against the Knights if he takes the early plea.
Edwards was charged with a grade 1 dangerous throw on Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce and will miss his side’s match against the Cowboys with an early plea.
Friend was charged with a grade 1 careless high tackle on Newcastle’s Alex McKinnon, but will be free to play against the Warriors this week.