Brisbane livewire Tevita Pangai’s season could be over after he was stung with a grade two dangerous contact charge following his side’s Friday night win.
Pangai and Broncos teammate Jake Turpin are both facing suspensions for their dangerous shots on Panthers duo James Maloney and Dylan Edwards respectively, with Pangai’s coming in the final minute of their crucial 24-12 home victory.
With three regular-season games to play, Pangai is set to miss four games even with an early guilty plea, while Turpin would miss two with an early plea.
It is Pangai’s fourth charge in the last two years, with those carry-over points adding up to a maximum of five weeks on the sidelines if found guilty.
His absence would be a bitter blow for the Broncos, who have breathed life into their season with tough wins against North Queensland and the Panthers in the last fortnight.
Turpin’s swinging arm on a sliding Edwards in the first half earned him a stint in the sin-bin but could cost him more, just as the utility had become comfortable alongside Darius Boyd in a new-look halves combination.
He faces a three-match ban if found guilty.
Just inside the top eight, Brisbane host South Sydney in the next round before games against Parramatta and the Bulldogs to finish their season.
Meanwhile, Eels centre Michael Jennings and Broncos fullback Anthony Milford were both charged with tripping and will face fines of $1350 and $1150 respectively with early guilty pleas.
Wests Tigers half Luke Brooks is in the same boat, avoiding suspension despite a contrary conduct charge for his rough treatment of Manly’s Jack Gosiewski on Thursday.
Brooks will escape with a $1350 fine with an early guilty plea, or face a $1800 if he fights the charge and is found guilty at the judiciary.