Rabbitohs forward Thomas Burgess headlines eight names charged with offences across the first week of the NRL finals.
Burgess is looking at a minimum of a two match stint on the sidelines for a grade two careless high tackle offence on Roosters star James Tedesco in what may be a major blow to South Sydney’s premiership hopes following their 30-14 win on Sunday.
If Burgess accepts the charges laid he will miss Saturday’s clash against the Cronulla Sharks and then again the following week against the Penrith Panthers, if the Rabbitohs make it through.
Roosters front-rower Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is also facing a lengthy ban of three games for grade 2 dangerous contact on Burgess.
Penrith winger Taylan May will miss the preliminary final after taking an early guilty plea, accepting a one-match ban for his high hit on Eels centre Will Penisini in the Panthers 27-8 win on Friday night.
Cronulla co-captain Dale Finucane will be free to play against the Rabbitohs after being charged with a grade 1 crusher tackle on Cowboys’ winger Luciano Leilua in the Sharks qualifying final 30-32 loss on Saturday.
Finucane will escape with a hefty $3000 fine after taking the early plea.
| Player | Charge | Verdict | Suspension/Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Burgess (Rabbitohs) | Grade 2 High Tackle – Careless | TBC | 2-3 games |
| Thomas Burgess (Rabbitohs) | Grade 1 High Tackle – Careless | TBC | $1800-$2500 fine |
| Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Roosters) | Grade 2 Dangerous Contact | TBC | 3-4 games |
| Taane Milne (Rabbitohs) | Grade 1 High Tackle – Careless | TBC | $1800-$2500 fine |
| Joseph Suaalii (Roosters) | Grade 1 Dangerous Contact | TBC | $1800-$2500 fine |
| Dale Finucane (Sharks) | Grade 1 Crusher Tackle | TBC | $3000-2 games |
| Felise Kaufusi (Storm) | Grade 1 Dangerous Contact | TBC | $1800-$2500 |
| Taylan May (Panthers) | Grade 2 High Tackle – Careless | Guilty, early plea | 1 game |
| Spencer Leniu (Panthers) | Grade 1 High Tackle – Careless | Guilty, early plea | $750 fine |