WATCH: NRL launch investigation into Bulldog's innocuous collision with Kasey Badger
Sam Hughes made contact with the referee during the Bulldogs' clash with the Tigers, with the league's match review committee to investigate the incident.
Friday’s NRL grand final replay looms as a case of history repeating with both Canterbury and South Sydney preparing to enter the key clash without their first-choice hookers.
Canterbury were dealt a massive blow on Sunday when rake Michael Lichaa suffered a potentially season-ending ankle fracture in their 34-16 win over the Gold Coast.
The Dogs are hopeful of Lichaa being back in a few weeks, and will know more on his availability after he goes for scans.
However coach Des Hasler is already weighing up his options.
Josh Jackson acquitted himself well for 76 minutes after being thrown into dummy-half against the Titans when Lichaa was taken from the field but he is expected to return to his normal position in the back row.
With utility Josh Reynolds still sidelined with a knee injury, Hasler has indicated he will turn to NSW Cup No.9 Damien Cook.
“Josh Reynolds is still three weeks away,” Hasler said.
“But Damien Cooke has been doing a great job in (reserve grade) and he’s just been waiting, waiting for his opportunity.
“He’ll step into the fray and he’ll handle it.”
The Rabbitohs have their own hooking dramas with Issac Luke facing a three-to-four week ban for two separate incidents in Thursday’s win over North Queensland.
Luke was hit with shoulder charge and dangerous throw charges by the NRL match review committee.
Should he miss the grand final rematch, it would be reminiscent of last year’s decider in which both sides were forced to field back-up No.9s.
Luke missed South Sydney’s grand final victory due to suspension while Canterbury’s Michael Ennis, who has since linked with Cronulla, was ruled out with a broken foot.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Sam Hughes made contact with the referee during the Bulldogs' clash with the Tigers, with the league's match review committee to investigate the incident.
The Tigers finished the game with 11 men after David Klemmer was sent for ten minutes for dissent, and following a fracas, Seyfarth was…
Benji Marshall has plenty of kids in his side and, sitting 14-6 to the good at half time over the Bulldogs, he might have…
Brent Naden was penalised for running a kick chaser off the ball, while Aidan Sezer was also lucky to stay on the field for…
Josh Addo-Carr looked to have produced a great try down the left touchline, but some desperate defence prevented Bronson Xerri from getting there first.
Viliame Kikau threw the ball to Josh Addo-Carr who was standing two metres in front of him when the pass was thrown.