The MRC has closed out Round 23 with one suspension and four fines handed down following Sunday's action.
Cronulla Sharks prop Addin Fonua-Blake has been handed a one-game suspension after being charged with a Grade 2 Careless High Tackle on St George Illawarra Dragons forward Hamish Stewart.
Fonua-Blake was immediately sin binned following the incident in the final 15 minutes of the Sharks' clash with the Dragons, with the resulting advantage allowing St George Illawarra's Setu Tu to cross for a late try and seal a 24-16 victory over Cronulla.
The Sharks forward's suspension could increase to two matches should he elect to contest the charge at the judiciary and be found guilty.
Cronulla will now be without Fonua-Blake as they look to retain their position inside the NRL's top four when they take on the Canberra Raiders next week.
Four separate fines were also handed out following the 2pm clash between Canberra and Newcastle.
Knights centre Dane Gagai was charged with a Grade 1 Dangerous Throw on Raiders prop Corey Horsburgh and will be fined $1,000, with the penalty able to increase by a further $1,500 should he contest the charge and be found guilty at the judiciary.
Horsburgh was also charged following an incident later in the contest, receiving a Grade 1 Contrary Conduct charge for striking Gagai.
The Raiders prop was sin binned for the incident and, as it is his second offence of the season, will be fined $1,800. That penalty could increase by a further $700 if he is found guilty at the judiciary.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was furious with Horsburgh's actions, laying out his feelings in the post-match press conference.
“There was a brain explosion,” Stuart said post-match.
“I mean we got a penalty, it was a f***ing brain explosion.”
The reaction overturned an initial Raiders penalty, which would've given them a chance to even out the contest at 26-0 with a two point kick.
Instead, last year's minor premiers are out of the finals race all together.
Canberra five-eighth Ethan Strange was handed the same $1,800 fine as Horsburgh after being charged with a Grade 1 Careless High Tackle on Knights forward Jermaine McEwen.
The final charge of the round went to Raiders forward Ata Mariota, who was charged with a Grade 1 Crusher Tackle on Newcastle's Fletcher Hunt.
Mariota will be fined $1,000, with the penalty increasing by $1,500 should he contest the charge and be found guilty at the panel.
With Fonua-Blake now facing a one-game suspension, the Sharks will need to find a replacement for their star prop as they prepare for a crucial clash with Canberra in Round 24.
