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St George Illawarra's Teuila Fotu-Moala is the first NRLW player to be charged by the match review committee and could miss the rest of the season.
St George Illawarra may roll the dice at the judiciary to avoid a season-ending ban for Teuila Fotu-Moala after their star signing became the first NRLW player to be charged by the match review committee.
The Dragons are reeling after the Kiwi Ferns star was charged with grade two dangerous contact for an incident in their season-opening 14-4 loss to Fotu-Moala's former side Brisbane on Sunday.
It marks the first time a player from the women's top flight has been charged after a clean match review committee record in last year's inaugural NRLW campaign.
With an early plea, Fotu-Moala will cop a two-match suspension, ensuring she won't play again unless the Dragons make the grand final.
The hard-hitting prop risks a three-game ban if she unsuccessfully fights the charge, rubbing her out for the season.
But there is a chance Fotu-Moala can escape suspension altogether if the Dragons are willing to take the risk.
If they take their case to the judiciary with an early guilty plea but dispute the grading, the Kiwi star will only receive a 75-point penalty if successful and be available for the Saints' next clash against the Warriors on Sunday.
Another option is pleading not guilty and fighting the charge.
Even if found guilty, Fotu-Moala is a chance of earning a downgrade from the judiciary and copping a 100-point penalty which will ensure she only misses the Warriors clash.
The Dragons have until midday on Tuesday to decide their next move.
The NRLW judiciary grading and point system replicates the men's competition despite it featuring just three regular season rounds compared to 25 in the NRL.
NRL's head of football Graham Annesley said the women's judiciary system may be addressed in the future in order to lessen the impact of suspensions on the shorter NRLW season.
"The judiciary code is based on the seriousness of an incident rather than the impact that it might have on the person," he said on Monday.
"But I take the point that the (women's) season is much shorter.
"It (NRLW judiciary system change) hasn't been raised but it is something we may have to look at."
Fotu-Moala is in hot water after an awkward tackle on Broncos hooker Lavinia Gould midway through the first half.
The Dragons will hope Fotu-Moala is available sooner rather than later after the title favourites suffered the 10-point opening loss to the defending champion Broncos at Bankwest Stadium.
