NRL: Smith able to play grand final

Jeremy Smith of the Dragons runs the ball. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - Kiwis and St George Illawarra forward Jeremy Smith will be free to play next Sunday's NRL grand final despite being charged by the judiciary after last night's 13-12 preliminary final victory over the Wests Tigers.

Smith faces a grade one dangerous contact charge after he kneed Tigers wing Lote Tuqiri in the back when making a tackle in the 73rd minute of the cliff hanger at ANZ Stadium.

The incident, which left Tuqiri with suspected broken ribs, did not warrant sanction by the match officials though the NRL's match review committee opted to level a charge after viewing replays of the incident.

However the infringement was deemed at the lower end of the scale and Smith, who won a premiership with the Melbourne Storm in 2007, avoids suspension by lodging an early guilty plea.

Sydney Roosters five-eighth Todd Carney will also lodge an early guilty plea for his grade one careless high tackle on Gold Coast Titans playmaker Scott Prince in Friday's opening preliminary final, enabling the Dally M player of the year to also feature in the competition's decider.

Meanwhile, St George Illawarra hooker Dean Young has escaped sanction over an alleged racial comment made to Tigers captain Robbie Farah last night.

On-field audio failed to pick up comments made during the altercation between the pair so the match review committee had little option but clear the Young when the Tigers declined to make an official complaint.

Farah declined two opportunities to make a complaint to on-field referee Ben Cummins, but could be heard accusing Young at a scrum minutes later of calling him a "f...ing wog".

"The on-field audio provided no evidence to confirm if any comment had been made," the match review committee said in a statement.

"The on-field audio does contain an accusation from Farah and a denial from the St George Illawarra player.

"The Wests Tigers have today declined a request to provide any further information that may assist the match review committee.

"Having assessed all the available information, the match review committee does not believe there is sufficient evidence to warrant a charge."

- NZPA