The Melbourne Storm have opted not to risk losing international centre Will Chambers for the Telstra Premiership finals series and will plead guilty to his dangerous tackle charge on Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne in Friday night's 20-4 win over the Eels.
Meanwhile Sydney Roosters star Boyd Cordner will avoid suspension with an early plea for a grade one dangerous throw.
Taking the early plea means Chambers will miss the remaining two club games – Titans and Panthers – and the first week of the NRL finals.
But he will be able to take his place at right centre for the remaining three weeks of the play-offs.
The 30-year-old held more talks with Storm officials and lawyer Nick Ghabar on Monday and decided the risk of him missing the rest of the season was too great.
Chambers has played seven Tests for Australia and 10 games for Queensland, and his just too valuable a piece of rugby league property to miss the big games up ahead.
Chambers charged for dangerous contact
Cordner was charged for a dangerous throw on Raiders forward Luke Bateman in Sunday's loss in Canberra, but with a clean record and a grade one charge he will avoid suspension with an early guilty plea.
Player | Will Chambers |
Club | Storm |
Minute of match | 37th |
Charge/incident | Dangerous contact - head/neck |
Charge grade | 3 |
Result | Guilty - early plea |
Matches to serve | 3 |
Points/fine calculation | 382 |
Carry-over points | 82 |
Misconduct on whom? | Jarryd Hayne |
Player | Boyd Cordner |
Club | Roosters |
Minute of match | 38th |
Charge/incident | Dangerous throw |
Charge grade | 1 |
Result | Guilty - early plea |
Matches to serve | 0 |
Points/fine calculation | 75 |
Carry-over points | 75 |
Misconduct on whom? | Luke Bateman |