VERRILLS’ FIGHT TO PLAY

SYDNEY Roosters have entered a guilty plea for rake Sam Verrills’ grade two careless high tackle charge for his shot on Gold Coast’s Brian Kelly but will seek a downgrade in a bid to have him free to face Manly in their semifinal in Mackay on Friday.

Meanwhile, Parramatta breathed a sigh of relief after Junior Paulo escaped with just a fine after being put on report for a high tackle on Newcastle’s Kurt Mann in the Eels’ 28-20 elimination final win over the Knights in Rockhampton on Sunday.

Teammate Marata Niukore and Waqa Blake are also free to face Penrith on Saturday night after escaping bans for their own high shots.

Knights forward Sauaso Sue faces between two and three matches on the sideline after being assessed a grade two dangerous contact charge for his leg twist on Eels winger Blake Ferguson.