Origin news

New South Wales centre Jamie Lyon says he is confident he will beat a dangerous throw charge at the NRL judiciary tonight. Lyon must be cleared on the grade one charge or be forced to miss next Wednesday's State Of Origin series opener against Queensland at Suncorp Stadium.

The Manly centre says there was no malicious intent in the tackle and he did not drive Parramatta player Eric Grothe deliberately head first into the ground. If Lyon is suspended it is likely Bulldogs winger Hazem El Masri will be added to the Blues squad.

Queensland State of Origin lock Dallas Johnson has pleaded guilty to a careless high tackle but will dispute the grading of his charge at a judiciary hearing tonight. Johnson is seeking to have the grade two charge reduced, allowing him to escape a one match suspension and play in the Origin series opener against NSW at Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday.

He will appear before the judiciary in Sydney at 6pm - ahead of NSW centre Jamie Lyon - after requesting the first hearing because he'll be travelling back to the Queensland Origin camp in Brisbane if cleared.

Johnson was charged yesterday over a shoulder tackle on Bulldogs forward Reni Maitua during Melbourne's victory at Olympic Park on Monday night. Lyon is scheduled to front the judiciary at 6.45pm.