Departing Raiders gun Jack Wighton has been referred directly to the judiciary to face a biting allegation after Knights five-eighth Tyson Gamble complained to referee Ash Klein during Sunday's epic elimination final.
Canberra was dumped from the finals in sensational fashion after Kalyn Ponga kicked a penalty goal deep into extra time to condemn the Raiders.
That signalled the end of Wighton's time at the Green Machine, with the star utility now facing a stint on the sidelines when he first links up with the Rabbitohs in 2024.
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The incident that will be probed occurred early in the second half, with Wighton on the ground after being tackled, and Gamble, one of the tacklers, lying on top of the Raiders star, with his arm across Wighton's face.
When the pair rose to his feet, a furious Gamble immediately complained and showed a mark on his arm to Klein, who stopped the game so that the incident could be reviewed. After replays proved inconclusive Klein put Wighton on report but took no further action, with the Raiders retaining possession and Wighton instructed to play the ball.
That decision left Knights players incensed, with Gamble continuing his protest with Klein.
"There's a mark!" Gamble shouted, adding, "that's slobber, that's not sweat."
That claim drew a response from Wighton.
"Sir, he leans on the back of my head. What else am I supposed to do?" he asked.
"Sir, I can't move my mouth. He's got to move his arm," Wighton pleaded when Klein put him on report.
That evidence will clearly be tested at the judiciary, with Gamble likely to be required to testify and his post game comments indicated that he wouldn't be withdrawing his complaint.
"I don't want to really comment, footy's footy and we had a conversation after it. That's all I'll say," Gamble said after full-time.
Asked if Wighton apologised, Gamble said: "No, not really. My arm was there and whatever happened afterwards, happened. I'll leave it there."
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The case is likely to be heard on Tuesday night, with Wighton likely to face a lengthy ban, to be served as a Rabbitohs player, if he is found guilty.
The only other player cited from Sunday's clash was Gamble's Knights teammate Adam Elliott, who can escape suspension with an early guilty plea and $3000 fine for a high tackle on Canberra's Joe Tapine.
Roosters halfback Sam Walker has accepted a $1000 fine for his own high shot on Braydon Trindall on Saturday night.
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