The Dolphins will roll the dice at the NRL judiciary, risking a lengthier ban for Felise Kaufusi in an attempt to have him available for their do-or-die clash with Newcastle.
Facing a two-match ban for his late shot on Adam Reynolds, Kaufusi has elected to try and downgrade the charge from a grade two to a grade one.
If successful, Kaufusi will be able to pay a fine and play in Sunday's game, where the winner will wrap up eighth spot and advance to the finals.
But the call comes with a risk, given Kaufusi's ban will extend to a third match if unsuccessful on Tuesday night.
It means the Dolphins second-rower would not only miss the last-round clash and elimination final, but also their semi-final if they make it that far.
If the Dolphins are to be knocked out before Kaufusi's ban is served in full, it would likely roll over into Tonga's end-of-season Pacific Championships campaign.
Was this the right call? 🤨
Felise Kaufusi was sent to the sin bin for this tackle on Adam Reynolds.
ðŸ"º Watch #NRLDolphinsBroncos on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/yjGvj798o5
âœï¸ BLOG https://t.co/JOlitGUgdF
ðŸ"¢ MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/D8ggZabFHb pic.twitter.com/xAr1DcVjbe
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 31, 2024
AAP has been told the Dolphins were left bewildered by the NRL's decision to hit Kaufusi with a grade-two charge, given Reynolds had dropped the ball before being hit.
Kaufusi was sin-binned, and exchanged words with Reynolds as the Broncos halfback walked off the field for a HIA.
Elsewhere, Canberra veteran Elliott Whitehead is facing a three-match ban for his hip-drop tackle that injured Brandon Smith.
And the Sydney Roosters face being without their star NRLW prop Millie Elliott for their bumper match against Cronulla, after she was charged for a high tackle.
Brisbane's Tazmin Rapana and Canberra's Hollie-Mae Dodd are also facing one-match NRLW bans.
Scott Bailey - AAP
