Smith charged for dangerous throw as Eels cop big blow
Cameron Smith won't be suspended for Melbourne's grand final qualifier, but Marata Niukore could have played his last game this season after the match review committee continued its crackdown on crusher tackles.
Smith was charged with a grade one dangerous throw for a tackle on Eels five-eighth Dylan Brown during the Storm's 36-24 win at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
He will escape suspension with an early guilty plea, but will walking a tightrope in the preliminary final against either the Roosters or Raiders.
If Smith was to be charged in that match, any demerit points will tip him over the threshold and put him in danger of missing the grand final, which could be the last match of his career.
The 37-year-old is yet to make a call on whether he will play on again next year as his side charged into a sixth straight preliminary final.
The news wasn't so good for Eels forward Niukore, who was slapped with a grade one crusher tackle on Tino Fa'asuamaleaui. He will miss two games with an early guilty plea, or three matches if he fights it at the judiciary and loses.
Cameron Smith will avoid suspension despite being charged with a dangerous throw.Credit:Getty Images
Sharks pair Sione Katoa and Siosifa Talakai will both be fined $550 with early guilty pleas for charges stemming from Cronulla's season-ending loss to Canberra in the nation's capital.
It is set to be a busy night at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday with Penrith wrecking ball Viliame Kikau set to fight a dangerous throw charge which threatens to rule him out of the Panthers' preliminary final.
Adam Pengilly is a Sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.