High drama: Maika Sivo faces four-match ban for high shot on AJ Brimson, Raiders young gun avoids suspension for lifting tackle

The Eels have suffered a massive blow with one of their biggest stars set to miss the first few rounds of the new season after he was charged by the MRC.

Maika Sivo could miss the opening month of the NRL season after the Eels winger was charged for a high shot on AJ Brimson. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The Eels could be without try-scoring machine Maika Sivo for the opening month of the new season after the winger was hit with a grade 2 careless high tackle charge for an illegal hit on Gold Coast’s AJ Brimson.

Sivo jammed in off his left wing and whacked Brimson high just after he’d released the ball, with the speedster staying down before he was forced off in the second half.

The Eels star was placed on report and now faces a three-match ban with an early guilty plea or four weeks on the sidelines if he fights it and loses given this was his third and subsequent charge.

Maika Sivo was banned for four matches for a similar tackle against the Titans last year. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

It comes after Sivo was suspended for four matches for a similar tackle against the Titans in round 20 last year when he jammed in and hit Jojo Fifita high, with the tackle resulting in Sivo being sent to the sin bin.

The Fijian powerhouse rolled the dice at the judiciary last year but was unsuccessful, with the NRL sending a memo to clubs in 2023 that wingers would be punished severely if they raced in and hit attackers in the head.

It’s a major blow for the Eels who are looking to bounce back after they missed the finals last year, with Sivo scoring 20 tries from 20 appearances last season.

Meanwhile, the Raiders can breathe a sigh of relief after Ethan Strange was offered a $1000 fine for his grade 1 dangerous throw on North Queensland’s Thomas Mikaele.

Strange was sent to the sin bin for the lifting tackle but is free to play in round 1.