Latrell Mitchell will fight to downgrade a dangerous contact charge at the NRL judiciary in a hearing that could determine the South Sydney superstar's Dally M hopes.
Mitchell was hit with a raft of charges over the weekend, including two for dangerous contact as well as a contrary conduct charge for kicking.
The Rabbitohs fullback has pleaded guilty to one of the dangerous contact charges for hitting Luke Garner after he scored a try, as well as a kick on the Wests Tigers second-rower.
However he will seek to downgrade his grade-two dangerous contact on David Nofoaluma, where he struck the winger high after he'd kicked the ball for Daine Laurie to score.
If Mitchell is successful he will still miss one match, given players are only able to accrue two fines per season and the other two incidents have filled that allotment.
But if he fails in his bid to downgrade the charge for the hit on Nofoaluma, he will miss four games for the shot.
That would in turn all but rule the Dally M leader out of contention for the medal, given he will lose 12 points from his tally with three deducted for each game missed.
His hearing will come on a marathon night at the NRL's judiciary.
Sydney Roosters lock Victor Radley will also roll the dice and try to have a high-tackle charge downgraded so he can face St George Illawarra on Anzac Day.
Radley was charged with a grade-two careless high tackle for his hit on Melbourne's Cameron Munster.
The Roosters lock has pleaded guilty but instead of copping the two-match ban he will attempt to have the charge reduced to a grade one which would mean a $1900 fine but no suspension.
The call from the Roosters comes at a risk though, given Radley will miss a third game against Parramatta in round nine if his appeal is unsuccessful.
Radley's return this season from knee surgery in 2020 has been crucial for the Roosters, given he acts as another ball player with Luke Keary out.
Penrith centre Paul Momirovski is also trying to turn a two-match ban for a high tackle into a fine.
Meanwhile the NRL's head of football Graham Annesley wouldn't comment on Monday if Mitchell should have been penalised on field over any of his incidents.
The Tigers were furious they gained no advantage out of Mitchell indiscretions, in particular for the kick on Garner which came at a crucial time.
Had Mitchell been penalised the Tigers would have been on the attack up 14-6 late, rather than having Souths camped on their line where they later scored.
But Annesley shied away from commenting as Mitchell was yet to enter a plea when asked, but said it was unfair to question the consistency of referees in relation to foul play.
"These things come down to a matter of opinion," Annesley said.
