League: Utai gets some mercy from NRL judiciary

Bulldogs winger Matt Utai successfully had his high tackle charge downgraded at the National Rugby League judiciary last night, meaning he will now miss only tomorrow night's match against Parramatta.

The New Zealander was facing a three-week ban for a grade four careless high tackle on Newcastle utility back Dustin Cooper, but the three-man judiciary panel saw fit to reduce the grading of the charge to a grade three.

Utai received 196 points for the offence which results in a one week ban and 96 carry over points.

Utai's counsel argued that there were mitigating circumstances which caused him to go high on Cooper, such as the change in direction of the attacker and the fact the Knights winger ducked into the tackle on impact.

The result is a big win for the Bulldogs, who are already battling a horrific injury toll heading into the Parramatta Stadium clash against the Eels.

Bulldogs CEO Malcolm Noad said it was a massive bonus for the club to have Utai miss only one match, and was of the opinion it could be a major factor in deciding whether the reigning premiers would be able to sneak into the top eight.

"It was certainly what we asked for and we're very pleased with the result," Noad said.

"We were pretty confident with the evidence we had we would get the result we were hoping for.

"One week against three weeks is a big difference for us."

Premier League winger Filinga Filiga or Luke Young are in line to replace the Kiwi flyer tomorrow night.

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Newcastle second rower Clint Newton failed to beat his grade one dangerous throw charge, with the one-week ban ruling him out of Sunday's clash with Manly at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

Newton was charged over his role in a lifting tackle on Bulldogs centre Cameron Phelps with teammate Craig Smith, who was also involved in the tackle, giving evidence on Newton's behalf.

In a strange turn of events Smith, himself no stranger to the NRL judiciary, was warned by judiciary chairman Greg Woods that he too could still be charged over the tackle if he admitted guilt in his evidence.

Despite the threat of a suspension, Smith proceeded with giving his version of events, though it wasn't enough to get Newton off the hook.

The Knights backrower is now unsuccessful in two visits to the judiciary, with his previous appearance resulting in a 12-match ban for a high tackle on St George-Illawarra prop Ashton Sims last year.

"We thought we had a good argument, otherwise we wouldn't have tried to get off the week's suspension," said Newton, who also has 50 carry over points to add to any future suspension.

When asked his thoughts on facing the judiciary, Newton showed he hadn't lost his sense of humour.

"I've been down here twice and walked away suspended both times so obviously I'm over the moon about coming down here," he said.

"I'm disappointed I'm not going to get to play against Manly, there's always a great rivalry with Manly and we should have a sellout crowd on Sunday which makes it cut a little bit deeper."

In the final case of the night, Cronulla rookie Beau Scott beat his contrary conduct charge and will line up against the Sydney Roosters on Saturday night.

In his first game in the NRL, Scott was charged after catching Melbourne hooker Cameron Smith with his knee while trying to charge down a kick, but successfully argued that he was trying to spin out of the tackle as he made contact with the Queensland Origin rake.

- AAP