Tariq Sims could miss opening month of 2016 after being cited for shoulder charge

KNIGHTS backrower Tariq Sims could miss the opening month of the 2016 season after being hit with a grade 2 shoulder charge sanction.

TARIQ Sims could miss the opening month of 2016 after being charged with a Grade 2 shoulder charge.

The base penalty for the charge was 350 points, but loading and prior offences means that Sims will miss seven matches, which will be reduced to five with an early guilty plea.

Sims was rubbed out for the start of this season for a similar incident that occurred in the Cowboys elimination final win over Brisbane in 2014.

The two prior non-similar offences in the last two seasons and the one similar prior offence are the reasons for the inflated charge.

The Knights may also be without Sione Mata’utia, who is one of three players charged for contrary conduct following the melee in the Knights loss to Penrith.

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Sione Mata’utia is facing a one match suspension.

Mata’utia faces a one-match ban regardless of his plea, but Panther duo Josh Mansour and Tupou Sopoaga will avoid suspension with an early guilty plea.

Roosters pair James Maloney and Kane Evans will avoid suspension after being charged with Grade One tripping and contrary conduct respectively.

Early pleas will see the two free to play against Melbourne in Friday’s blockbuster finals opener.

Dene Halatau was hit with a shoulder charge and careless high tackle charge, but a seven year good behaviour discount means that he will miss just one match should he take the early plea on both his charges.

Luke Brooks has also been hit with a Grade One dangerous throw, but will miss just one game with an early plea, while Titans prop Luke Douglas can do the same if he takes an early plea for his Dangerous Contact charge.