Sydney Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello hit with grade-three striking charge by NRL Match Review Committee

ANTHONY Minichiello's season appears over after being handed a grade-three striking charge by the NRL Match Review Committee.

SYDNEY Roosters veteran Anthony Minichiello's season appears over after being handed a grade-three striking charge by the NRL Match Review Committee today.

The charge means Minichiello will miss two matches if he opts to take the early plea following his hit on Canberra fullback Josh Dugan in Saturday's loss to the Raiders.

If Minichiello decides to fight the charge at the judiciary and loses, he will receive a three-game ban for the high shot on Dugan which resulted in the decorated fullback's 75th-minute send-off.

Only two rounds remain in the NRL and, with the Roosters out of finals contention, Minichiello is likely to have to wait until round one in 2013 to celebrate his 250th milestone game.

The Roosters have until midday (AEST) tomorrow to enter a plea.

With one game to play in round 24, Melbourne's Bryan Norrie is the only other player to be charged by the review panel.

Norrie was given a grade-one dangerous contact charge for a 69th-minute hit on Brisbane's Sam Thaiday in the Storm's one-point win on Friday.

Norrie will be free to play in round 25 with the early plea.