Guilty Hilder to miss two NRL games

Newcastle utility Matt Hilder will miss two NRL matches after pleading guilty to dangerous contact with Melbourne's Cooper Cronk during Monday night's 18-4 loss to the Storm.

Hilder's grade three contrary conduct charge is the only offence to result in a suspension from round nine matches.

Manly's Mark Bryant (dangerous throw), the Bulldogs' Jarrad Hickey (high tackle) and Knights pair Cory Paterson and Jarrod Mullen (both dangerous throw) all entered early guilty pleas to grade one charges but escaped bans.

Hilder's suspension will hurt Newcastle, with first-choice hooker Danny Buderus named in the NSW State of Origin side and the former Cronulla and Gold Coast player the club's back-up rake.