'Problem' as Bronco free to play despite three charges

Young Brisbane forward Brendan Piakura is free to play NRL finals despite being charged for three separate incidents.

The 21-year-old can accept $3000 worth of fines for three grade one charges – two careless high tackles and a dangerous contact – during Thursday's loss to Melbourne.

Even Broncos coach Kevin Walters anticipated he would lose the young backrower for at least the first week of finals.

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"Well he was on report three times so I daresay (he'll be suspended)," the coach responded post-game.

But the NRL's charge system will allow Piakura to play next week.

Even if he fights any of the charges at the judiciary, he still won't be suspended. A failed judiciary bid on all three charges would still result in only monetary penalties.

It's in stark contract to Roosters enforcer Jared Waera-Hargreaves, who last week copped two charges and will miss seven games of football as a result.

Saving Piakura is his clean rap sheet.

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He was first reported for a careless high tackle on Storm rookie Grant Anderson in the opening minutes, and performance another high tackle on Alec MacDonald late in the game.

Sandwiched by those two reports was another for an off-the-ball shot on Storm debutant Sualauvi Faalogo, which left the youngster gasping for air on the ground.

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Piakura rushed out of the defensive line in anticipation and levelled Faalogo despite him not receiving the ball.

"Piakura nailed him, it was a great tackle," Cameron Smith said on Nine.

"Unfortunately for Piakura he (Faalogo) didn't receive the football. He is a threat."

League legend Paul Vautin called the collision "nasty".

"When you're running like that and you're not receiving the ball, and you're not bracing, that's nasty," Paul Vautin said.

"He just relaxed and then he gets hammered, so he's hurt."

The loss to Melbourne puts Brisbane in danger of losing top spot on the ladder – and the minor premiership – to Penrith.