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Canterbury firebrand Jack Hetherington will be sweating on Sunday's NRL charge sheet after getting put on report minutes into his comeback from a five-game ban.

One game into his return from a five-game suspension, Canterbury firebrand Jack Hetherington could be facing more time on the NRL sidelines after being cited in Saturday's loss to Penrith.

Less than three minutes into his comeback, Hetherington was put on report for a high tackle on Panthers second-rower Viliame Kikau at BlueBet Stadium.

The initial contact appeared to be on Kikau's chest before bouncing up towards his face, instantly drawing the attention of referee Matt Noyen.

The incident came moments after Hetherington was penalised for a high tackle on Penrith prop James Fisher-Harris, which came seconds after he gave away a set restart.

The contest against the Panthers was Hetherington's first since the league implemented a crackdown on high tackles in an attempt to reduce concussions.

But the former Penrith prop toed the line early, before collecting Kikau high with a shot that threatens to result in another suspension.

A grade-one careless high tackle normally attracts a monetary fine, a punishment Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett believes would fit the crime.

"I didn't think there was anything in that, seriously," Barrett said.

"He might cop a fine. I hope that's it.

"If you go through the whole game, there's probably about six to seven other ones that are like that that didn't get pulled up, but because his name is Jack Hetherington..."

Barrett went on to suggest Hetherington's history, which includes three prior similar offences that carry 50 per cent loading, has earned him a reputation among the referees.

"You can't tell me the referees don't have (his) name at the back of their mind every time he's involved in a tackle. And the crowd get behind it as well," Barrett said.

"I really hope that he doesn't (get suspended). It'd be a bloody shame if he did."

Barrett insisted Hetherington had worked to eradicate some defensive deficiencies and shed a tarnished reputation that has plagued him since his NRL debut three years ago.

"I've said it before - Jack Hetherington is not a dirty player," Barrett said.

"There was no force in any of those tackles at all at the start of the game.

"I really hope that if anything, a monetary fine will be sufficient. I'd hate to see him miss games for those.

"It'd be pretty sad."