Judiciary news

Newcastle hooker Danny Buderus could miss the rest of the finals series after being charged with a grade-three dangerous throw by the match review committee.

Buderus was placed on report last Friday night for the heavy lifting tackle on Manly winger Michael Robertson late in the Knights qualifying match. The Knights won the match 25-18 to book a semi final clash with Brisbane at Aussie Stadium on Saturday, but Buderus will miss that match and at least four more unless he fights and beats the charge at the judiciary.

Buderus can accept an early guilty plea and take a five week suspension. If he fights the charge and loses, Buderus will be banned for six games.

With nothing to lose this season, the Knights would be expected to fight the charge at the judiciary on Wednesday night in an attempt to save the NSW and Test hooker's season.

Parramatta winger Eric Grothe was charged with grade-two striking for his elbow to Melbourne centre Jake Webster's head on Sunday. Grothe can take the early plea and miss one match or risk a two week ban by fighting the charge.

A one-week suspension might cost Grothe a Test jersey, the Eels flyer named in the Australian Test train-on squad.