Round 17 charges: Broncos duo among five suspended

Broncos rookie Jordan Riki will miss two matches and teammate Jamil Hopoate will be sidelined for one after both entered early guilty pleas to Round 17 charges.

Riki's 55th-minute crusher tackle on Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary will now see him unavailable for selection until Round 20.

Hopoate will miss this weekend after pleading guilty to a dangerous throw. He would have avoided suspension if not for having 40 carry-over points against his name.

Cory Paix, who was charged over the same tackle on James Fisher-Harris that involved Hopoate, escaped suspension but will have 75 carry-over points against his name.

In the other judiciary announcement made on Monday, Knights prop David Klemmer has accepted an $1150 fine for contrary conduct.

Cronulla have lost key duo Chad Townsend and Wade Graham for three and two rounds respectively with the pair accepting suspensions from Friday night's loss to Newcastle.

Townsend was charged with a grade-three shoulder charge after being sent off for a hit on Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga, receiving a three-week ban after entering an early guilty plea instead of risking a five-week suspension if he fought the charge and lost.

Graham was charged with a grade-two dangerous throw for a lifting tackle on Mason Lino and instead of a potential three-week ban, he has taken a two-week suspension with an early guilty plea.

Teammate Toby Rudolf has avoided a suspension with an early plea for a grade-one dangerous throw for his part in the tackle on Lino.

There were no charges from either Saturday's or Sunday's matches.

Storm prop Christian Welch has accepted a one-game ban but has taken the unusual step of pleading no contest to his grade one dangerous contact charge over a tackle on Rabbitohs forward Liam Knight.

By doing this, he is out of this weekend's match but will have no carryover points on his record as Melbourne gear up for their finals tilt.