Six players charged by the NRL
judiciary

Six players have been charged by the NRL judiciary for offences committed in round 18.

Dragons three-quarter David Howell faces a minimum of three weeks on the sideline for striking the Broncos fullback Karmichael Hunt on Friday night. An early guilty plea will see Howell sidelined for three matches.

Howell has no prior offences on his record but faces such hefty sentence because the charge was given a grade four rating.

The judiciary has also charged Dragons hooker Mark Riddell for a lifting tackle on the Broncos second rower Darren Mapp in the 49th minute.

An early guilty plea will see Riddell miss one match which will make him unavailable for the Dragons v Roosters clash this weekend.

Meanwhile, two players from the Eels were also charged: Forward Dean Widders for a lifting tackle on the Roosters back rower Chad Robinson. Secod rower Lee Hopkins was charged with a careless high tackle on Craig Fitzgibbon.

Widders and Hopkins will escape suspension if they make an early guilty pleas.

The judiciary also charged Ben Ross (Panthers) and Ian Donnelly (Sea Eagles) for striking.

Ross was cited for a high shot on the Rabbitohs captain Ashley Harrison in the 76th minute, while Donnelly was charged with striking the Wests Tigers second rower Mark O?Neill in the 41st minute at Brookvale Oval yesterday.

Both players have a prior similar offences and will be suspended for one match each even if they take the early guilty plea.

Player - Club - Charge - Grade Points Mark Riddell Dragons Dangerous throw 1 David Howell Dragons Striking 4 Dean Widders Eels Dangerous throw 1 Lee Hopkins Eels High tackle - careless 1 Ben Ross Panthers Striking 1 Ian Donnelly Sea Eagles Striking 1