Newcastle five-eighth Ben Rogers needs his teammates to battle through to the penultimate weekend of the NRL finals without him if he's to play again this season after copping a three-match ban.
Rogers pleaded guilty yesterday to a grade four striking charge for his attack on Canberra winger Daniel Vidot on Monday night.
The Knights are not even assured of a finals spot, needing to beat Penrith at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Sunday to get into the top eight.
Rogers struck Raiders rookie Vidot with a right hook to the chin during Monday night's loss to the Raiders at Canberra Stadium, the incident sparking a brawl which also saw Vidot charged for kneeing.
Vidot pleaded guilty to a grade three contrary conduct charge yesterday and was banned for two matches, meaning he will be eligible to return in round two next year.
Canberra back-rower Bronson Harrison and Knights veteran Steve Simpson were also charged after the match but both escaped suspension with early guilty pleas.
Simpson was charged with a grade one dangerous throw while Harrison was charged over a 'chicken wing' tackle on Newcastle's Zeb Taia.
North Queensland's James Tamou, South Sydney's Colin Best and Cronulla's Luke Douglas also escaped bans with early guilty pleas to charges arising from the weekend's games. AAP
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