Sharks star Maloney to face NRL judiciary

Cronulla star James Maloney will front the NRL judiciary on Wednesday night after pleading not guilty to his dangerous contact charge.

Maloney was cited for a grade two dangerous contact charge over a tackle on Gold Coast centre Konrad Hurrell in the Sharks’ 18-18 draw with the Titans on Monday night.

The NSW playmaker faces a three-match ban if found guilty.

Maloney wrapped his arms around a standing Hurrell’s left leg before bringing him down awkwardly by driving his shoulder into the back and side of his leg as he was held by another tackler.

An upset Hurrell stayed down, allowing the bunker to review the 88th-minute incident, however the tackle went unpenalised.

Maloney said he initially feared his former Warriors teammate had suffered an injury.

“I actually started getting worried for him, obviously knowing him,” Maloney told Triple M NRL.

“I actually thought, `I hope he hasn’t done anything’. He comes over to me afterwards and goes, `They didn’t give me a penalty’.

“He’s a rat, mate.”

Meanwhile, Canterbury playmaker Josh Reynolds has avoided suspension after taking the early guilty plea on a tripping charge.

South Sydney forward Sam Burgess won’t miss a week either after taking an early plea on a grade one dangerous contact charge.

Tyson Frizell will miss St George Illawarra’s Thursday night clash at WIN Stadium with Brisbane after being found guilty of referee contact at the judiciary on Tuesday night.

His Dragons teammate Joel Thompson will also miss the Wollongong match after accepting a one-match suspension for a careless high tackle.

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