Friend to evade ban despite charge for Inglis tackle
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Sydney Roosters co-captain Jake Friend will take his place in the grand final despite being charged for a first-half tackle on Greg Inglis in Saturday night's preliminary final victory over South Sydney.
He has pleaded guilty to a grade-one dangerous throw, which carries a base penalty of 100 points. An early plea receives a 25% discount so he is free to play this week.
Friend was penalised in the 12th minute for a lifting tackle on Inglis but was not placed on report for the incident ahead of the NRL Telstra Premiership grand final next Sunday at ANZ Stadium.
He has no previous history at the judiciary in the last two years.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson was not concerned about Friend's effort on Inglis following the game, offering a simple "no" when asked whether the club should be worried.
Robinson confident Cronk will play Grand Final
The Roosters have coped with losing Latrell Mitchell and Dylan Napa over the finals series with both due back for the decider against Melbourne on Sunday.
Napa has not played since round 24 due to a three-week suspension for a grade three dangerous contact charge.
"He looked uncomfortable when we saw him today," Robinson said of Napa, who was watching on nervously on Saturday night.
"He looks fit and strong. Every time we walk in we see him in the gym a lot. He was getting ready for next Sunday, that's all he could do."
Robinson also refused to discuss the prospect of facing Melbourne next week without Billy Slater, who is will challenge a grade one shoulder charge at the judiciary on Tuesday night after being cited by the match review committee on Saturday.
| Player | Jake Friend |
| Club | Roosters |
| Minute of match | 12th |
| Charge/incident | Dangerous throw |
| Charge grade | 1 |
| Result | Guilty - early plea |
| Matches to serve | 0 |
| Points/fine calculation | 75 |
| Carryover points | 75 |
| Misconduct on whom? | Greg Inglis |
| Player | Billy Slater |
| Club | Storm |
| Minute of match | 14th |
| Charge/incident | Shoulder charge |
| Charge grade | 1 |
| Result | No |
| Matches to serve | 0 |
| Points/fine calculation | - |
| Carryover points | 0 |
| Misconduct on whom? | Sosaia Feki |
Match Highlights: Roosters v Rabbitohs - Finals Week 3, 2018
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