Canterbury prop James Graham faces a hefty suspension on Wednesday night after being referred straight to the NRL judiciary for biting in Sunday’s grand final loss to Melbourne.

Graham’s dangerous conduct charge for biting Melbourne fullback Billy Slater is the most serious claim to come out of a spiteful 25th-minute melee which led to three players being charged for fighting.

Melbourne pair Sisa Waqa and Todd Lowrie both face a week on the sidelines, which would be served in next year’s trial matches, as does Canterbury five-eighth Josh Reynolds – although an early guilty plea would see him escape a suspension.

The brawl was sparked when Slater slid into Sam Perrett in an attempt to stop the Bulldogs winger from scoring a try.

Dogs centre Krisnan Inu then pushed Slater, who reacted angrily and was restrained by Bulldogs bench player David Stagg.

Players then broke off into separate fights with Waqa and Reynolds squaring off while Graham lunged at Slater.

Replays on the big screen at ANZ Stadium showed Graham baring his teeth and moving in towards Slater’s left ear.

The Queensland and Australia fullback then made an on-field complaint to referee Tony Archer, who acknowledged there was blood around the ear.

The past two NRL players banned for biting served a combined 12 weeks.

Gold Coast’s Will Zillman copped four weeks for biting South Sydney’s Jamie Simpson in 2009, while Brad Morrin was suspended for eight weeks for trying to take a chunk out of Parramatta’s Timana Tahu.