Phoenix Crossland's suspension could open the door for Harrison Graham to start at hooker in Newcastle's grand final against the Sydney Roosters on Sunday.
Graham has mainly been used from the bench this season and has started only twice in 2026.
Crossland was sent off during Newcastle's preliminary-final victory over Penrith for a hip-drop tackle that caused Nathan Cleary a compound ankle fracture.
Cleary was taken to hospital and faces a lengthy recovery.
On Monday, the NRL Match Review Committee referred Crossland directly to the judiciary, leaving the panel to decide how long the 26-year-old will be suspended.
The ban will rule him out of the grand final. He could return as early as round one if Newcastle can have Rugby League World Cup fixtures counted towards his suspension.
St George Illawarra forward Ryan Couchman was the last player referred to the judiciary over a hip-drop tackle, in March.
Couchman received a four-game suspension after Parramatta lock J'maine Hopgood suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
Crossland, a six-cap New Zealand international, had been competing with Dolphins hooker Jeremy Marshall-King and South Sydney's Brandon Smith for the Kiwis' No. 9 jersey.