Josh Jackson is free to play in Canterbury’s grand-final qualifer against Penrith on Saturday after the NRL decided not to charge the back-rower over an alleged chicken wing tackle.
Jackson was put on report for a nasty-looking wrench on Manly prop Josh Starling in Saturday night’s 18-17 golden-point semi-final win at Allianz Stadium.
Taking into account carry-over points from a tripping charge earlier this season, it had been widely expected Jackson would face suspension for the tackle.
But the Bulldogs announced via Twitter on Monday he had been cleared of any wrongdoing by the NRL match review committee and is available for Saturday’s preliminary final at ANZ Stadium.
The NRL has taken a dim attitude towards chicken wing tackles of late, with Aidan Guerra and Justin Horo both recently suspended for the outlawed wrestling manoeuvre.
Starling, who was sin-binned for reacting to Jackson’s tackle with a light jab to the chin, said he was left feeling “awkward” and “vulnerable” by the action but didn’t want to see him rubbed out of the finals series.
“He’s a good player and a crucial player in their team so hopefully he’s alright,” he told AAP.