South Sydney hooker Issac Luke is facing the heartbreak of missing the Rabbitohs' first NRL grand final in 43 years after being charged with a grade one dangerous throw.
Luke was sanctioned by the NRL's match review committee for his challenge on Sonny Bill Williams in the first half of Souths' 32-22 win over the Sydney Roosters on Friday and the Rabbitohs have announced they will strenuously defend the charge at a judiciary hearing on Tuesday.
The New Zealand international was carrying 50 carryover points due to previous offences and would miss the premiership decider with Canterbury on Sunday if he takes the early guilty plea.
However, the Rabbitohs will appeal in front of the judiciary panel at Rugby League Central.
"The Rabbitohs and Luke will go to the judiciary on Tuesday night to strenuously defend the charge, giving Luke the opportunity to play in the NRL grand final next Sunday," the Rabbitohs said in a statement.
Williams said after the game he felt the incident didn't warrant his former Kiwi teammate missing the biggest game of his career.
Bulldogs coach Des Hasler said after his side's preliminary final win over Penrith that he expected the incident to go before the three-man panel.
Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith sat out the grand final in 2008 after being found guilty at the judiciary and Sydney Roosters great Luke Ricketson suffered a similar fate before the 2004 decider against the Bulldogs.
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