LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Parramatta Eels forward Kelma Tuilagi is in hot water after being charged with a Grade 2 Shoulder Charge following Monday's match against the Wests Tigers.
Despite not being penalised during the game, Tuilagi faces a three-match ban for his actions against Terrell May in the first tackle of the game.
If he accepts the early guilty plea, he will miss three matches, but if he chooses to contest the charge, he could be suspended for up to a month.
Meanwhile, Manly Sea Eagles hooker Manase Fainu has escaped punishment for a dangerous hip-drop tackle during the same match.
Fainu was placed on report for the tackle, but the MRC decided not to charge him after reviewing the incident.
This decision has raised questions about consistency in the NRL judiciary system, as some fans believe Fainu's tackle was just as deserving of a charge as Tuilagi's shoulder charge.
The match between the Wests Tigers and Eels was not short of controversy, with Tuilagi's suspension and Fainu's escape from punishment both being contentious issues.
Despite the drama, the spotlight was also on Eels halfback Mitchell Moses, who dazzled with four try assists in his comeback game.
Tuilagi's suspension adds to the Eels' woes, as they will now have to find a replacement for him in their forward pack for the upcoming matches.
The timing couldn't be worse for Tuilagi, whose absence will be sorely felt by his team as they look to maintain their winning form in the competition.
The NRL judiciary will play a crucial role in determining Tuilagi's fate, with the forward having to decide whether to accept the early guilty plea or contest the charge at the Judiciary hearing.
Regardless of the outcome, Tuilagi's actions have put him in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, and he will be hoping to put this incident behind him as he serves his suspension.