Knights’ Mason facing shoulder charge ban

Newcastle veteran Willie Mason is facing at least a fortnight on the sidelines as the latest player to fall foul of the NRL’s shoulder charge crackdown.

Mason was slapped with a grade two offence by the match review committee for his second half shoulder on Brisbane co-captain Corey Parker on Friday night.

He can accept a two-week ban with an early guilty plea, but risks a three-match ban should he unsuccessfully challenge the charge.

Less then a week after the NRL announced tougher interpretations regarding lifting tackles, three players were charged with dangerous throws – but all can escape a ban with early guilty pleas.

Canterbury duo Tim Browne and Dale Finucane were handed grade one charges for their 35th minute tackle on South Sydney’s Ben Lowe, while Warriors hooker Nathan Friend copped the same charge for his tackle on St George Illawarra’s Jason Nightingale.

Canberra’s David Shillington was charged over a crusher tackle on Melbourne’s Ryan Hinchcliffe, but can escape a suspension with an early plea.

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