Manly has been left counting the cost of a dramatic Round 7 loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs after three of their players were charged by the NRL Match Review Committee on Monday.
Richie Fa’Aoso is facing a 10 match ban, while Brett Stewart and Steve Matai are also facing a week on the sidelines following Friday night’s loss to the Rabbitohs.
The NRL Match Review Committee cited Fa’aoso for two separate dangerous throw charges both on Greg Inglis; a Grade 3 dangerous throw in the 44th minute and a Grade 2 dangerous throw in the 19th minute.
The separate charges mean Fa’aoso is facing up to a 10 match suspension. Manly could fight either or both charges at the judiciary, but if they decide to take the early plea to both charges, the forward would miss eight matches.
Sea Eagles fullback Brett Stewart was charged with a Grade 1 Dangerous Contact for his challenge on Andrew Everingham, but will escape suspension with an early plea. Stewart would risk a one-match ban if he chooses to fight the charge at the NRL judiciary and loses.
Steve Matai was also charged by the NRL match review committee and faces a week on the sidelines for his Grade 1 careless high tackle on George Burgess even with an early guilty plea. Matai would have to fight the charge and win to be free to play this weekend.
Newcastle’s Kade Snowden was cited for a grade 2 careless high tackle on Gold Coast’s Luke O’Dwyer, but will miss suspension with an early plea.
The Knights prop would risk a one-match ban if he fights the charge at the NRL judiciary and loses.
The players will have until midday on Tuesday to enter a plea.
