NRL Early Mail round 10: Bulldogs to fight Jacob Preston charge, 4 week ban looms

Jacob Preston is seemingly out of Origin 1 contention after being slapped with a long-term ban for a third subsequent offence, but the Bulldogs will fight the charge at the NRL judiciary.

In-form Bulldogs forward Jake Preston is ready to fight a crusher charge at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night in a desperate bid to play in weekend’s blockbuster against Canberra and keep his NSW dream alive.

Preston was slapped with a grade one charge on Monday morning by the match review committee after an awkward tackle involving Gold Coast captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui on Sunday afternoon.

A grade one charge would generally mean a fine but Preston’s prior offences - this was his third charge - meant he was facing a ban of three matches even with an early guilty plea.

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Rather than take the plea, the ‘Dogs decided late on Monday to fight the charge, risking a ban of four matches if Preston is found guilty at the panel.

The young back rower has been among the Bulldogs’ best this season and his importance to the side has only been amplified by the ongoing absence of Josh Curran and Sitili Tupouniua to suspension.

Preston is now in danger of joining them on the sidelines, stripping the Bulldogs of one of their best players and ruining his outside chances of forcing his way into the NSW side.

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Former Bulldogs captain James Graham was stunned that Preston was penalised, let alone charged over the tackle.

“I nearly swore n air when I was calling this game - the fact that it was a penalty and the fact that he was sin-binned,” Graham said on Triple M’s NRL Daily

“I think it is absolutely farcical. What is Jacon Preston supposed to do in that situation? He actually goes out of his way to not put Tino in a dangerous position.

“That is not an example of why the crusher tackle is so potentially dangerous. It looks when you watch it .... that he goes out of his way to actually open up some space for Tino’s head to not apply yhe crusher tackle technique.

Jacob Preston (C) could be rubbed out for four matches if he is unsuccessful at the judiciary. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

“He actually has an opportunity to go in there and hurt Tino. he has the opportunity to perform a traditional crusher and you can see the choice he has, he goes against doing that.

“I just don’t understand what our game is expecting our players to deliver.”

Former Sharks captain Wade Graham added:

Preston had been mentioned as a bolter for the Blues, although NSW have a logjam in the back row given the form of Angus Crichton, Liam Martin, Hudson Young and Haumole Olakau’atu.

Preston would have needed some luck and now he needs even more given his ability to push his cause over the next two weeks is in the hands of the NRL judiciary.

Blues coach Laurie Daley will sit down to select his side in a fortnight, but Preston will be unavailable if he is found early on Tuesday night.

EELS v DOLPHINS

Thursday, 7:50pm, CommBank Stadium

Eels:

The Eels are expected to name the same starting side, with Zac Lomax progressing well in rehab and aiming for a return to action as early as next week.

Jordan Samrani shifted to a role in the middle forwards off the bench and could hold his spot.

Dolphins:

Max Plath underwent surgery on a foot injury last week which is set to see him out of action until Round 13, ruling him out of contention for the Queensland Origin side for Game 1.

Kurt Donoghue is expected back this round following a minor ankle issue. Daniel Saifiti and Felise Kaufusi will also push for a return this week.

KNIGHTS v TITANS

Friday, 6:00pm, McDonald Jones Stadium

Knights:

Jacob Saifiti and Adam Elliott both made successful returns in Round 9 for the Knights engine room, helping turn around their attacking fortunes.

Jack Cogger also had his best game of the season and is expected to hold onto the number 7 jersey for the time being.

They’re expected to be named 1-17.

Titans:

All eyes will be on the Titans second row after David Fifita was dropped to reserve grade for Magic Round.

The Titans were comfortably handled by the Bulldogs pack but it remains to be seen if Fifita has done enough in the eyes of coach Des Hasler to earn a recall.

Tom Weaver is expected to be ruled out of Round 10 following a Category 1 HIA suffered in Magic Round.

Kieran Foran is nearing a return and, if fit, could come straight into the halfback slot. Hasler also indicated that Jayden Campbell is a chance of returning this week.

Jojo Fifita was a late out in Magic Round, with Tony Francis expected to replace him at right wing if required.

RABBITOHS v BRONCOS

Friday, 8:00pm, Accor Stadium

Rabbitohs:

Latrell Mitchell returns from suspension for the Bunnies and will likely slot back into the fullback jersey following another tough week on the injury front for the Rabbits.

Jack Wighton was named at five-eighth in the last round but ruled out for at least a month with a calf issue.

Jye Gray is in doubt for Round 10 having suffered a corked quad at Magic Round. If fit, he could slot in the halves or into the 14 jersey.

Peter Mamouzelous had to be assisted from the field following a dislocated elbow and will be in some doubt for the Rabbitohs.

Jamie Humphreys will push for a return to first grade as well from a hamstring issue. If fit, he could be in line for a shift to hooker if Mamouzelos is ruled out.

Broncos:

Ezra Mam is back. The Broncos half has served a 10 game suspension for off-field issues and is now available for selection.

It came at a good time for the club following a shock shallacking to the Panthers, with pressure on both Ben Hunt and hooker Billy Wlaters to hold their starting spots over Mam.

The rest of the side is expected to be named 1-17.

RAIDERS v BULLDOGS

Saturday, 3:00pm, GIO Stadium

Raiders:

Corey Horsburgh was sent for a HIA late in his side’s Golden Point victory against the Storm at Magic Round, which could see him miss Round 10 if failed.

The rest of the side is expected to be unchanged.

Bulldogs:

Jacob Preston is facing a 3-4 match ban for a crusher tackle, his third subsequent offence.

The Doggies welcome back Matt Burton from suspension this round with Bailey Hayward expected to drop back to the bench, and Blake Taaffe most likely out of the 17.

The rest of the side is expected to be unchanged.

DRAGONS v WARRIORS

Saturday, 5:30pm, WIN Stadium

Dragons:

Lykhan King-Togia was solid in his first game at halfback for the season having replaced Lachlan Illias. The young halfback set up two tries and kicked well and is expected to hold his spot.

Corey Allan returned to first grade for the first time in almost two seasons and will likely keep his spot on the left wing with Christian Tuipulotu still a few weeks away.

Hamish Stewart got his first start of his career in Round 9 at lock and is expected to hold his spot given a performance which included a try.

Emre Guler suffered a dislocated shoulder and is expected to be unavailable for at least four weeks with Blake Lawrie most likely to come onto the bench.

Warriors:

Centre Rocco Berry was forced from the field at Magic Round and is expected to be ruled out with a hamstring injury. Kurt Capewell could shift from second row to the centres to cover him.

Fellow centre Ali Leiataua also missed the clash with an ankle issue suffered mid-week and is touch and go to return to the lineup this round.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is nearing a return and could come into the side as early as this round. Bench forward Jacob Laban could return to the 17 after missing Round 9 through concussion.

COWBOYS v PANTHERS

Saturday, 7:35pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys:

Reuben Cotter is facing a two-game ban from a high shot during Magic Round. That likely sees Sam McIntyre start at lock with Kai O’Donnell to return to the 17 via the bench.

Panthers:

Brian To’o is close to a return from a hamstring issue, but the club may continue to take a cautious approach as they near the representative period.

Should To’o return, Tom Jenkins could be on the chopping block with Luke Garner performing strongly in his third start at centre.

Scott Sorensen is out for a further two rounds with suspension with Isaiah Papali’i to start in his place. Hooker Mitch Kenny returns having served a two-game suspension.

Dylan Edwards came from the field early when the result was settled with reported hamstring tightness but is expected to be named this week.

STORM v TIGERS

Sunday, 2:00pm, AAMI Park

Storm:

Hooker Harry Grant is eyeing a return this round from a hamstring injury, which would see Bronson Garlick shift into the number 14 jersey. If Grant is unavailable this round he should definitely be fit for Round 11 in an attempt to prove his fitness for State of Origin.

Will Warbrick will again push for a return to action having battled with concussion symptoms this season.

Tigers:

Starford To’a missed Round 9 with a neck issue and isn’t expected to return until Round 11.

His replacement Brent Naden was hampered by a knee injury during the Tigers victory against the Dragons.

Solomona Faataape is expected to join the starting side at centre with Naden’s fitness set to determine if Charlie Staines remains in the starting side.

Latu Fainu is nearing a return from a finger injury and will again place pressure on coach Benji Marshall to decide his preferred halves pairing.

Winger Luke Laulili’i was spotted during the week with a cast on his hand and is expected to be available for selection for the next few weeks.

SEA EAGLES v SHARKS

Sunday, 4:05pm, 4 Pines Park

Sea Eagles:

Jake Trbojevic returns for Manly having missed their previous game whilst in HIA protocols.

He will most likely come in at lock, with Jazz Tevaga shifting to hooker and Jake Simpkin to the bench.

Jason Saab is not expected to be fit to return from an ankle injury, with Tommy Talau to deputise for him on the right wing until he’s available.

Sharks:

KL Iro made a successful return from a hamstring injury and will again be named at left centre this week.

Inside him should be Billy Burns with Teig Wilton expected out for 1-3 weeks as he manages a shoulder issue.

Siosifa Talakai suffered a category 1 concussion in the opening game of Magic Round and will be unavailable for Round 10.

Originally published as NRL Early Mail round 10: Bulldogs to fight Jacob Preston charge, 4 week ban looms