Cronulla forward Dale Finucane has elected to plead his case before the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night after being charged for making dangerous contact with Penrith's Stephen Crichton.
Finucane's head contacted Crichton's in a tackle on Saturday night, leaving the Panthers centre concussed and in need of plastic surgery to repair to an ear.
On the field, Finucane was ruled not to have led with his shoulder or arm so managed to avoid conceding a penalty but was hit with a two-match ban the morning after.
If the judiciary finds Finucane guilty, he will miss the Sharks' next three games, to be played against South Sydney, St George Illawarra and Wests Tigers.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary said the match review committee's decision to charge Finucane proved he should have been penalised on field.
"That was wrong, clearly," he said.
"It was pretty forceful ... You'd think it would at least have been a penalty. I think everyone thought that."
Tuesday night will be a busy evening for the NRL's judiciary, with Canterbury forward Corey Waddell to front the panel for allegedly gouging Tino Fa'asuamaleaui's eyes in the Bulldogs' defeat of Gold Coast.
Waddell was referred directly to the judiciary without having the option to enter a plea.
Crichton is having plastic surgery on Monday and will miss this weekend's clash with Parramatta, in line with the league's concussion protocols.
He could return for Penrith's round-21 game against Canberra but may have to sport headgear to protect his ear.
"They've just got to sew (the ear) back together," he said.
"There's a bit of cartilage involved, that's why he has to go see a plastic surgeon."
