Canberra forward Sia Soliola has been suspended for five games for the dangerous contact that knocked Melbourne NRL fullback Billy Slater out cold.

Soliola’s defence lawyer Nick Ghabar argued that the hit on Slater was careless and not reckless, and that the Raider deserved only a three-week ban given the Storm fullback was falling in the tackle.

But in a 100-minute hearing, NRL counsel Anthony Lo Surdo told the three-man panel that the hit was reckless and needed a six-week ban.

Soliola will be able to return for the Raiders’ round-26 clash with Melbourne.

Ghabar also argued it “would’ve been very hard” to pull out of the tackle.

But Lo Surdo said the hit was reckless and that a message needed to be sent to players as to the dangerous nature of the contact which warranted a six-week ban.

He also presented a medical report from the Storm’s doctor that said Slater couldn’t remember his State of Origin III win minutes after the hit due to concussion.

However the three-man panel of Bob Lindner, Shaun Garlick and Mal Cochrane took just five minutes to agree on the five-game ban.

The suspension marks Soliola’s first in either the NRL or English Super League since his debut in 2005.

“Apologies to everyone who was effected by this – especially to Billy and his family,” Soliola said after the hearing.