Manly’s Steve Matai will miss Friday’s NRL semi-final against North Queensland after the star centre accepted the early guilty plea for his grade two careless high tackle.
The Sea Eagles accepted Matai’s fate on Tuesday, declining the take the charge to the NRL judiciary on Wednesday night – where he would have risked a two-match ban.
Matai was given a grade two careless high tackle charge by the match review committee for his 19th minute hit on Canterbury’s Sam Perrett, which carries a base penalty of 125 points.
Manly co-captain Jason King predictably also took the early plea on his grade one careless high tackle, making him free to face the Cowboys.
Melbourne pair Kevin Proctor and Siosaia Vave also escaped suspensions by accepting the early plea and will be free to play in the Storm’s week three finals opponents, the Sea Eagles or Cowboys.