KEY POINTS:
Kiwis internationals Sonny Bill Williams and David Fa'alogo will contest charges at tomorrow night's National Rugby League (NRL) judiciary which could rub them out of the play-offs and next month's trans-Tasman test.
Williams, with the backing of his Bulldogs club, will contest the grading of his grade two striking charge which could see him banned for three weeks and potentially miss the October 14 test against the Kangaroos in Wellington.
A Bulldogs statement today said Williams had entered an early guilty plea but he will seek a downgrade in the charge which will mean just a one-match suspension, allowing him to return in week two of the play-offs if the Bulldogs are still alive.
Williams was charged for a high shot on North Queensland's Johnathan Thurston last Friday. His previous suspension this year for a high shot on Newcastle star Andrew Johns lengthened the potential ban by one week.
"He shouldn't be penalised out of finals football for something that was innocuous," Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes told the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.
"I think that with striking, you need to show intent, and I don't think there was any intent from Sonny to hit him in the head."
Williams will be represented by lawyer Jim Hall, who successfully had Bulldogs skipper Andrew Ryan cleared of a high tackle last month.
South Sydney forward Fa'alogo meanwhile pleaded not guilty to his grade four striking charge, for a punch on the Roosters' Braith Anasta which carries a six-week ban if he is found guilty.
Fa'alogo will be represented by prominent Sydney barrister Geoff Bellew, a director at Manly Leagues Club.
Fa'alogo, who will miss the Wellington test if found guilty, claimed he reacted to a grapple tackle around his neck by Anasta.
Anasta wasn't charged by the match review committee.
"I felt like I was getting choked. That's why I got up and did what I did," Fa'alogo said in a statement.
Souths co-owner Peter Holmes a Court was staggered Anasta escaped scrutiny.
"I don't understand why it's OK to strangle a player and you don't get charged for that. I'm disappointed you can put that much pressure on someone's windpipe and apparently it's not a problem."
The sixth-placed Bulldogs play third-placed North Queensland in Saturday's qualifying finals while seventh-placed Souths play second-placed Manly the same day.
- NZPA
