Rugby League Coaching Manuals

He was charged with a grade-three reckless high tackle, which could see him suspended for up to nine games.

It is the same offence Civoniceva was charged with the week before for a high tackle on Canterbury lock Gary Warburton and while a clean record means the Panthers prop is serving only a two-match ban, he can't understand why he has been the only player sent off this year.

"Everyone has got their opinion on it but if you were to go through every game throughout the season I'm sure there are other incidents that occurred that are pretty questionable and nothing was done about that," Civoniceva said yesterday, breaking his silence on the incident.

"It's a strange one, the refs wanting to set a precedent the second last game into the regular season. I suppose it's something players in the semi-finals series have to be wary of that they could be looking to uphold the standard that they set.

"I think they're going to have to be (consistent).

"There's that expectation on the refs that once they set that standard they have to uphold, it otherwise it's going to put more pressure on them and there's already enough pressure on them so far this season."

NRL referees coach Robert Finch defended the fact Matai didn't receive his marching orders for an incident that looked far worse than Civoniceva's, saying video referee Bill Harrigan did not have enough video evidence at the time to recommend a send-off.

It was less than a month ago that Harrigan was dumped from his position after awarding a try to St George Illawarra centre Mark Gasnier against the Sea Eagles when he had clearly dropped the ball over the line.

"The fact is we didn't get as many good views of it as we could have," Finch said. "You've got to understand that the judiciary get all angles and we don't. Quite clearly the Civoniceva one was out there for everyone to see.

"The view that Billy got he wasn't prepared to send someone off."

Matai, who can end up with a seven-week ban if he takes the early plea -- which would still end his season and cost him an appearance for New Zealand in the Four Nations tournament -- wasn't the only Sea Eagle to fall foul of the match review committee.

Manly captain Jason King is looking at a one-week ban regardless of his plea for a grade-one careless high tackle on Bulldogs captain Andrew Ryan.

Lock Chris Bailey was also charged with a grade-one careless high tackle, but in a welcome move for an injury and suspension-riddled Manly, will still be available for the club's must-win match against St George Illawarra at Kogarah Oval on Sunday.

The Sea Eagles are already without Glenn Stewart (suspension) while Anthony Watmough (ankle), Joe Galuvao (groin), Matt Ballin (concussion) Brent Kite (collarbone), Kieran Foran (shoulder) and Jamie Lyon (ankle) are in doubt through injury.