'I don't believe it's a sin-binning offence': Boost for Raiders as stars avoid suspension

Both Hudson Young and Emre Guler face only financial sanctions for their first-half incidents in the Raiders' 28-12 victory over the Knights in Newcastle on Thursday night.

It was expected both would take the early guilty plea.

It's a massive boost for the Green Machine to have two of their star forwards available to face the Wests Tigers in their first home game of the season - at Canberra Stadium on March 16.

Young was charged for what looked like a fairly innocuous high bump on Kalyn Ponga after the Newcastle star had passed the ball in the lead-up to a disallowed try for the home side.

The Canberra second-rower was sent to the sin bin in the 25^th minute of the game and has been charged with grade-one dangerous contact.

He will get a $750 fine for an early guilty plea, but faced a $1000 fine if he contested the charge and lost.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart didn't think it was worthy of a sin bin, let alone a suspension.

But he called for consistency throughout the season if Young was penalised.

"If we're going to start sin-binning people for that we're going to be playing a lot of games with 12," he said.

"But if that's a sin-binning offence and that is then a week off it's got to be consistent every week and every game - but it won't be.

"That's not having a crack at anyone. The referees have got a very, very difficult job. But I don't believe it's a sin-binning offence."

Guler appeared the more concerning of the two, with the Raiders prop put on report for a hip-drop tackle on Knights second-rower Dylan Lucas.

But he's escaped with a fine and will pay $1000 fine for an early guilty plea - also for grade-one dangerous contact.

He risked a $1500 fine if he fights the charge and loses.

NRL ROUND TWO

March 16: Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers at Canberra Stadium, 3pm.