Brisbane could be without inspirational back-rower Sam Thaiday for Friday's crunch NRL clash with Melbourne after he was charged with dangerous contact.
The Queensland and Test star was sanctioned for placing unnecessary pressure on the neck of St George Illawarra forward Will Matthews last Friday.
Brisbane need to win to ensure they secure a finals berth against a Storm side still holding out some hope of snaring a top four berth on Friday at AAMI Park.
Thaiday will miss a game with an early guilty plea but the Broncos are almost certain to take their chances at the judiciary on Wednesday night given he'll still only get a week if he fights the charge and loses.
Hard-hitting Penrith back-rower Adam Docker is also in danger of missing his side's important encounter with the Warriors on Sunday, a game the Panthers need to win to lock in a top-four spot.
Docker has been slugged with a grade one dangerous throw on Manly's Jason King and will miss Sunday's game with a guilty plea.
The former St George Illawarra junior has 80 carryover points and would be sidelined for two matches if he fights the charge and fails.
South Sydney announced on Monday they will roll the dice with Issac Luke, risking losing the hooker for two matches after deciding to contest his dangerous contact charge.
Luke was cited for kicking out in Canterbury skipper Michael Ennis' tackle in last Thursday's 21-14 win over the Bulldogs.
He would have received a one-match ban if he took an early guilty plea but will be free to play against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium if the club's challenge is successful.
Halfback Adam Reynolds has pleaded guilty to his grade-one dangerous throw charge and will miss Thursday's game, which could potentially produce the winner of the minor premiership.
Canterbury forward Dale Finucane has pleaded guilty to a dangerous throw charge on Souths prop Jason Clark and will miss Sunday's match against the Gold Coast.
Veteran Parramatta back-rower Ben Smith's career is over following a grade three charge for a crusher tackle on Newcastle's Chanel Mata'utia.
Smith, who is retiring at the end of the season, will be banned for three games with an early plea.
Greg Bird will be given the final week of the season off with a guilty plea to a lifting tackle on Sione Louisi of the Warriors.
Dragons hooker Mitch Rein is a similar boat with a guilty plea sidelining him for one game after he was charged with a grade one dangerous contact on the kicker against Brisbane.
Roosters centre Michael Jennings will be free to face Souths after pleading guilty to a high shot on Melbourne's Tim Glasby.
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