Sydney Roosters hit man Zane Tetevano has been rubbed out of his side's NRL preliminary final, while Darcy Lussick has been cleared for Manly's do-or-die clash with Penrith.
On a long and sometimes confusing Tuesday night at the judiciary, Tetevano successfully had his high-tackle charge downgraded but it wasn't enough to have him cleared to take on Brisbane.
Meanwhile, the Sea Eagles were handed a massive boost with starting prop Lussick exonerated of a trip on the Panthers' Peter Wallace.
Tetevano successfully had his high shot on Gold Coast's Ben Nakubuwai downgraded to careless from the more-serious charge of reckless.
He was eventually found guilty of a grade-three careless offence which carries a one-match ban.
It means Tetevano will be free to play in the Roosters' second finals game - either in week two or week three.
"I'm grateful at being able to plead my case. I'm stoked about the outcome," Tetevano said.
"Foremost, I want to apologise to Ben and I knew that I had a minor error in my tackle technique."
Tetevano was charged with a grade-three reckless high tackle by the match review committee and was facing a five-match ban if found guilty.
In a hearing which stretched over two hours, he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of a careless high tackle.
NRL prosecutor Anthony Lo Surdo argued that Tetevano raced out of the line and planted his feet before launching himself at the head and neck of Nakubuwai.
Nakubuwai was knocked unconscious before being taken off on a medicab and had no recollection of the incident.
However, the judiciary of Sean Garlick, Tony Puletua and Bob Lindner agreed with Tetevano's defence counsel James McLeod.
McLeod argued the hit by the Roosters' prop was "close to being a perfect tackle" before conceding he misjudged the height.
Later, the Sea Eagles' decision to challenge Lussick's tripping charge paid off, clearing him for Saturday's elimination final.
Lussick was facing a one-week ban even with an early guilty plea and they successfully argued he was not trying to throw a leg out at Wallace and he had made accidental contact.
"I'd just like to say I got a fair hearing. I'm happy with the result," Lussick said.
"I can't wait to come out and play this weekend and hopefully all the Manly fans cross the bridge and get there for a big game."
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