Greg Bird, Shaun Fensom charged by NRL match review committee

GREG Bird has been charged by the NRL match review committee but Raiders lock Shaun Fensom will escape a ban

Titans Greg Bird is put on report for a hit on Cronulla's James Maloney during the Cronulla Sharks v Gold Coast Titans rugby league game at Shark Park, Cronulla. Pic Brett Costello

GREG Bird has been charged by the match review committee for his hit on Sharks playmaker James Maloney and faces a week on the sidelines regardless of his plea.

Bird hit Maloney in the first half of the Sharks 25-20 win over the Titans and the former Gold Coast Skipper has been hit with a Grade 2 careless high tackle charge.

He faces a one-match ban regardless of his plea and is expected to fight the charge.

Raiders lock Shaun Fensom can escape suspension with an early guilty plea after being hit with a Grade 1 dangerous throw.

Fensom’s teammate Joseph Tapine was also charged for the tackle on Michael Gordon but will be free to play Cronulla this Sunday if he takes the early guilty plea.

The Sharks will likely be without Luke Lewis for the clash in Canberra after the veteran backrower was hit with a possible two game ban for a shoulder charge on Titans prop Luke Douglas.

Lewis faces a one-game suspension or two if he fights the charge and loses.

Gareth Widdop and Dylan Walker were both hit with Grade 1 tripping charges but can avoid suspension regardless of their plea.

Cowboys prop Matt Scott has avoided any charge for his crusher tackle on Trent Merrin and will be free to play the Rabbitohs this Thursday.

Originally published as Greg Bird, Shaun Fensom charged by NRL match review committee