Round 19 Charges

New Zealand Warriors fullback Wade McKinnon is free to play this weekend despite being sent off for allegedly kneeing an opponent in yesterday's win over Wests Tigers.

The NRL match review committee charged four players for incidents over the weekend but McKinnon was not among them after being controversially dismissed by referee Paul Simpkins just before fulltime at Campbelltown Stadium.

McKinnon was marched following a tackle involving Tigers backrower Taniela Tuiaki, Simpkins indicating the Warriors custodian had deliberately come down on Tuiaki with his knee. Replays indicated there was minimal use of the knee with the match review committee agreeing as they failed to lay a charge.

His Warriors teammate Jerome Ropati and Manly's Jack Afamasaga will escape suspension after being charged over a dangerous throw and grapple tackle respectively.

Gold Coast's depth could be further tested this weekend with prop Ian Donnelly and hooker Nathan Friend both facing a week on the sidelines.