League: Luke's dangerous throw charge bad news for Bunnies

Isaac Luke of the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Photo / Getty Images

South Sydney's end of season charge for a top-four finish on the NRL ladder could be dealt a huge blow after New Zealand international Issac Luke was slugged with a grade two dangerous throw charge.

The hooker was placed on report for a challenge on Sydney Roosters' centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall in Monday's epic clash at Allianz Stadium. Luke will miss three games if he takes the early guilty plea, but could miss four if he fights the charge and loses at a hearing tonight.

Fellow Kiwi Sam Kasiano will front the NRL judiciary to fight his grade two careless tackle charge.

The giant Bulldogs prop was placed on report for his swinging arm that floored Fuifui Moimoi in Friday night's big win over Parramatta.

Kalifa Faifai Loa will play his fifth NRL game of the season after being drafted into North Queensland's side to play the Wests Tigers this weekend in place of injured winger Ashley Graham.

Gold Coast's representative lock Ashley Harrison will return from injury in Friday night's NRL derby with Brisbane but Greg Bird was not in coach John Cartwright's squad named yesterday. Bird (pectoral muscle) could still be a late inclusion if he improves.

The Titans, who need to upset Brisbane to stay in the race for the top eight, will have young winger David Mead back after he missed the win over Canberra to attend his father's funeral in Papua New Guinea last week.

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary insisted he'd continue to make the tough calls at the Panthers but he didn't foresee the need to drop another bombshell like last week's parting of the ways with club legend Luke Lewis.

Cleary said the controversial stands he'd made in his first season at the foot of the mountains have been necessary in building a foundation for the battling NRL club.

"You can't be in this business and not make tough decisions," Cleary said.

"I don't think you'll get another one like Luke ... that's a big one. I certainly don't think there's going to be anything like that again."

- Agencies