Canberra centre Blake Ferguson has been charged by the NRL judiciary over a grapple tackle but can escape suspension with an early plea.

The match review committee issued Ferguson with a grade one dangerous contact offence after his prolonged hold on St George Illawarra prop Trent Merrin’s head and neck in Monday night’s upset win to the Raiders in Canberra.

Ferguson will miss a week if he unsuccessfully challenges the charge, but will be free to play against Melbourne on Saturday night with an early guilty plea.

Cronulla duo Wade Graham and Jeremy Smith have yet to enter their pleas to grade one charges, with both players to also avoid suspension with an early guilty plea.