Toby Rudolf is set to miss Cronulla's 2025 NRL season opener in Las Vegas after being handed a one-game ban for tripping Isaah Yeo in the preliminary final defeat to Penrith.
But Panthers hooker Mitch Kenny will be free to face Melbourne in the NRL grand final after escaping sanction for his high shot on a falling Tom Hazelton.
Rudolf remained afield after his shot in the opening minutes of Saturday's 26-6 loss at Accor Stadium but has since been charged with grade-two dangerous contact (tripping).
The prop forward's leg struck Yeo as he stepped inside on an attacking raid, the Panthers co-captain immediately appealing to referee Ashley Klein for a penalty.
Rudolf will miss both the season opener against the Panthers at Allegiant Stadium and round two of next season if he unsuccessfully challenges his charge at the NRL judiciary.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary took a dim view of Rudolf's shot immediately after the game.
"There were some different (refereeing) decisions. There was a blatant trip, which used to be a send-off, back when I was (playing)," he said.
Kenny went on report for hitting Hazelton high midway through the second half, with the prop failing to return from his head injury assessment.
But the 26-year-old will retain the Panthers' starting hooker spot for a third consecutive grand final.
Melbourne prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona has until 12pm on Monday to determine whether he will fight his grade-three careless high tackle charge in a bid to line up in Sunday's decider.
The New Zealand international was sent to the sin bin after the first tackle of the Storm's 48-18 win over the Sydney Roosters for his shot on Lindsay Collins.
