Overnight wrap: Bedsy, Hasler

Newcastle has until midday to decide how to handle the dangerous throw charge that threatens to end the season of hooker Danny Buderus.

He'll be banned for five weeks with an early guilty plea or six weeks if he contests the charge and loses at the NRL judiciary. For Buderus to play again this year the Knights must get the grade three charge reduced to level one.

Newcastle chief executive Ken Conway says the club will take the maximum time allowed before entering a plea.

Meanwhile, Manly coach Des Hasler is preparing to play a St George Illawarra team containing Mark Gasnier in Friday night's semi-final.

The Dragons announced yesterday a corked hip would keep Gasnier out of the the sudden death match at Aussie Stadium. But Hasler says Gasnier has made a habit of playing this year when ruled out because of injury.

Dragons coach Nathan Brown will name his replacement today and it's likely to be 21-year-old Daryl Millard.