LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Canberra Raiders hooker Tom Starling is facing a one-week ban for a dangerous tackle during Sunday's victory over the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland.
Reports from zerotackle.com indicate that Starling's actions might have warranted a harsher penalty.
In the game's closing minutes, Starling jumped to tackle Warriors half Chanel Harris-Tavita.
Unfortunately, he made direct contact with Harris-Tavita's jaw in a late hit, occurring after the ball had left Harris-Tavita's hands.
Despite the protests from Raiders' captain Joseph Tapine, a captain's challenge confirmed that Starling would be sent to the sin bin.
Tapine himself faced scrutiny, as he was placed on report twice during the match and has since been charged once.
Starling has received a Grade 2 dangerous contact charge for the tackle.
He can opt for an early guilty plea, which would result in a one-week suspension, or choose to contest the charge at the judiciary, risking a two-match ban if unsuccessful.