Manly prop Toafofoa Sipley has been referred straight to the judiciary following his hip drop tackle on Dragons winger Mat Feagai on Thursday night.
The Sea Eagles enforcer is facing a potentially lengthy ban following the challenge on Feagai in St George Illawarra's 20-18 upset victory.
Sipley was sin-binned for the tackle by referee Peter Gough as Feagai was taken from the field due to injury.
Scans on Friday confirmed Feagai suffered an ankle fracture and a high-grade syndesmosis injury.
He faces an estimated recovery time of two to three months.
A player being referred directly to the judiciary for a hip drop is unusual, but not unprecedented.
Broncos forward Pat Carrigan underwent the same following a tackle on Tigers halfback Jackson Hastings in 2022.
On that occasion, Carrigan was served with a four-match suspension.
ABC