NRL Judiciary Round 23: Hess facing significant suspension, Bulldogs set to challenge charges

It has been a busy week for the match review committee as Round 23 produced multiple bans and fines. 

The Sharks have lost a key forward for the rest of the regular season, while it looks like season over for a star Cowboy.

At Suncorp Stadium, the Dolphins and Roosters have been stung over a melee between several key players.

The Sporting News provides all the latest NRL Judiciary news from Round 23 below. 

MORE: Police question Rabbitohs star at Gold Coast airport

Bulldogs duo to challenge charges

Sam Hughes and Harry Hayes were hit with grade one charges following their side's win over New Zealand, with both forwards cited for high tackles. 

However, the duo have opted to fight their cases at the judiciary in order to avoid $1,000 fines. 

If either are found guilty by the panel, they will remain free to play this week when the Bulldogs take on the Sydney Roosters. Although they will have to front up $1,500 as a result of their unsuccessful challenge. 

Coen Hess facing extended break 

North Queensland look set to be without Coen Hess for the remainder of their season after the forward was hit with a grade two dangerous contact charge in his side's one-point loss to Parramatta.

Due to priors on his record, Hess is looking at a three-match suspension over the first-half incident, which will end his season given the Cowboys have a final-round bye.

He'll risk a four-match ban if he fights the charge and is unsuccessful.

The Cowboys face the Knights, Tigers and Broncos over their remaining fixtures.

Briton Nikora's high shot puts Sharks' finals plans in jeopardy

Briton Nikora's timing was all wrong in the 77th minute at Jubilee Stadium, collecting Dragons winger Corey Allan high.

The grade two careless high-tackle is his third in this category, meaning three matches out with an early plea. 

With Cronulla's Round 25 bye, the ban would stretch right into week-one of the finals, which isn't ideal for the Sharks' premiership push.

Suncorp scrap leads to stack of charges

The ninth-minute of the Roosters-Dolphins clash turned into a mini-brawl, four players headed to the bin and five to the judiciary. 

Kurt Donoghoe, Spencer Leniu, Aublix Tawha, Naufahu Whyte and Francis Molo were all charged.

Molo's night got worse - he also drew a careless high-tackle charge from later in the match, which has landed him a one-game suspension.

Horsburgh's shoulder charge draws heavy price

Corey Horsburgh lined up Manly's Jazz Tevaga in the 74th minute at GIO Stadium and the judiciary didn't like what they saw.

A grade one shoulder charge earns him a $3,000 fine if he takes the plea, but two weeks out if he fights and loses.

It's his second such offence, which is why the penalty is so steep.

Full Round 23 NRL Judiciary charge list, results