Dragons star to fight historic NRLW ban

St George Illawarra star Teuila Fotu-Moala will become the first NRLW player to face the judiciary on Tuesday night after the Dragons opted to fight a potential season-ending ban.

Fotu-Moala has launched a bold bid to avoid a three week suspension and be cleared to play in Sunday’s NRLW clash with the Warriors after being hit with a grade-two dangerous contact charge.

The Kiwi Ferns prop has entered an early guilty plea but will dispute the grading and if successful will only receive a 75-point penalty, ensuring she can run out this weekend without missing a game.

The Dragons are rolling the dice at the judiciary after their high-profile signing became the first NRLW player to be charged by the match review committee following their season-opening 14-4 loss to Fotu-Moala’s former side Brisbane.

She faced a two-match ban with an early plea without challenging the grading, ensuring she would only play again if the Dragons made the grand final.

But she faces a three-game suspension if she loses, rubbing her out for the season.

The NRLW judiciary grading and point system replicates the men’s competition despite it featuring just three regular season rounds compared to 25 in the NRL.

NRL’s head of football Graham Annesley said on Monday the women’s judiciary system may be addressed in the future in order to lessen the impact of suspensions on the shorter NRLW season.

Fotu-Moala found trouble after an awkward first half tackle on Broncos hooker Lavinia Gould.

The Dragons will hope Fotu-Moala is available sooner rather than later after the title favourites suffered the 10-point opening loss to defending champions Brisbane at Bankwest Stadium.

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