Round 12 Charges

St George Illawarra captain Trent Barrett faces six weeks on the sidelines after being charged by the NRL match review committee today.

Barrett was hit with a grade five striking charge after it was alleged his forearm came in contact with Knights winger Brian Carney's head in the 14th minute of the Dragons 38-12 win over Newcastle. He will be rubbed out for six weeks if he enters an early guilty plea and eight if he unsuccessfully defends the charge.

Melbourne forward Ian Donnelly has also been charged, but not for the eye-gouge alleged by Penrith opponent Frank Pritchard.

Donnelly faces a grade one contrary conduct charge for unnecessary contact with the head and neck for his hit on the Kiwi international. He will miss one match with an early guilty plea and two if he unsuccessfully challenges the charge.

Meanwhile, young Bulldogs forward Jarrad Hickey has re-signed with the NRL club until the end of the 2008 season. The 114-kilogram Hickey, who stands almost two metres tall, made his debut this season in Round 11 when the Bulldogs triumphed over the Sharks.

Hickey, 21, is a product of the Bulldogs' junior system and is originally from the St Christophers Junior Rugby League Club in Revesby.