NRL MATCH REVIEW: Round 20

A summary of charges from the 20th round of the National Rugby League.

Friday | Broncos v Panthers

Brisbane had two players charged from this clash, which the Panthers won 31-12.

Sam Thaiday is set to miss one match with an early guilty plea after being charged with a 61st minute Grade 1 Dangerous Throw on Penrith's Bryce Cartwright. The base penalty of 125 points receives 50% loading for recent similar offences taking it to 187 points, plus Thaiday has 33 carryover points. The early plea (173) means he'll miss just one game, although if he heads to judiciary (220) he'll miss two matches.

Josh McGuire is also facing a week for a Grade 1 Dangerous Contact (Head/Neck) charge which occured in the 25th minute on Josh Mansour. Like Thaiday he has carryovers and loading - lower loading (20%) for a recent non-similar offence, but more carryover points (83). As a result the 100 point base penalty goes up to 203 if he were to contest at the judiciary and fail - a two week layoff. An early plea is 173 points and just one game.

RESULT: Both Thaiday & McGuire have taken the early plea and will each miss one game - Thursday's clash with the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium.

Saturday | Raiders v Warriors

Warriors forward Bunty Afoa was issued a Grade 1 Dangerous Contact (Head/Neck) charge after an incident involving Josh Hodgson in the 78th minute of the golden point match at Canberra on Saturday. The base penalty of 100 points reduces to 75 with an early plea, and with no priors, Afoa escapes suspension unless he chooses to challenge the charge.

Saturday | Titans v Eels

Parramatta's Manu Ma'u will miss next Saturday's clash with Wests Tigers after being slapped with a Grade 1 Dangerous Throw charge for a tackle on Gold Coast's Ash Taylor on Saturday night. The 54th minute incident will see the raging Eels forward miss a week due to carryovers. The 125 base penalty is increased by 40% loading due to two non-similar prior incidents which means a guilty at judiciary finding would be worth 175 while an early plea is just 131 points. Either way, misses out on Round 21.

RESULT: Ma'u will head to the judiciary to contest the charge on Wednesday night.

Sunday | Sharks v Knights

Newcastle's Mitchell Barnett is looking at two weeks on the sidelines after a Grade 1 Shoulder Charge was recorded against him following a tackle on Andrew Fifita in the 55th minute of the Knights' loss to Cronulla. The base penalty of 200 increases to 280 with 40% loading due to 2 prior non-similar offences. With an early plea this would only reduce to 210 points meaning either with a plea or contested at judiciary, Barnett misses two games.

RESULT: Barnett has taken the early plea and will return to action for Newcastle in Round 23.

Sunday | Dragons v Tigers

Dragons forward Leeson Ah Mau will miss two or three weeks for a Grade 3 Careless High Tackle on Tim Grant in the 23rd minute of the Red V's loss to the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium. The base penalty of 175 increases to 350 points on account of 100% loading for Ah Mau (2 similar prior offences). With 62 carryover points added to that from earlier this season as well, Ah Mau's early plea would have him at 262 points and missing two weeks. Should he contest and lose at judiciary, he'll miss three matches.

RESULT: Ah Mau has taken the early plea and will miss three matches, becoming available for selection again in Round 24.

Wests Tigers' Sauaso Sue is looking at no suspension for a Grade 1 Dangerous Contact charge issued to him for a 50th minute incident involving Mike Cooper. The base charge of 100 points goes to 120 with 20% loading for a non-similar prior offence, but reduces to 90 points with the early plea, meaning he'll only serve a one week suspension if he choose to challenge the charge unsuccessfully.

RESULT: Sue has taken the early plea and will miss no game time.

Monday | Rabbitohs v Sea Eagles

South Sydney forward Thomas Burgess will be looking at one or two weeks on the sideline after being hit with a Grade 1 Shoulder Charge citing from the MRP. The base penalty of 200 points would see him miss two games if he challenges unsuccessfully at the judiciary. An early plea (150 points) would see him miss only one match.

There were no charges from Thursday's Cowboys v Bulldogs or Saturday night's Storm v Roosters fixtures.

All players except Thomas Burgess have until midday Tuesday to respond to charges. Burgess has until midday Wednesday.