Matai facing lengthy ban

Manly centre Steve Matai will miss the Sea Eagles’ finals campaign after being hit with a lengthy suspension for a late hit on Canterbury’s Michael Ennis.

And worse still for Matai, he will also miss the Four Nations tournament in October due to a 7-9 week ban imposed by the judiciary.

The NRL Match review Committee charged Matai with a grade three reckless high tackle on a Michael Ennis in the 50th minute of yesterday’s loss to the Bulldogs.

He will miss seven weeks if he takes the early plea.

Matai’s team-mates Jason King and Chris Bailey were also both charged grade one careless high tackles. Bailey escapes suspension but King faces missing this week’s sudden death Qualifying Final against the Dragons whether he takes the early or guilty plea because of carry-over points.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs Dave Taylor was also charged with a grade one careless high tackle in last night’s loss to the Dragons but will escape suspension.