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New South Wales Blues<\/a> candidate Jacob Preston<\/a> will be available for Game 1 of the 2026 State of Origin<\/a> series after avoiding a heavy charge from the NRL’s match review committee.<\/p>\n Preston was sin-binned for a late shot during the Canterbury Bulldogs<\/a>‘ loss to the Dolphins<\/a> on Thursday evening in Brisbane, with the decision drawing plenty of controversy.<\/p>\n Preston, who is on a first offence on his judiciary record, would have missed games if he had been handed a Grade 2 or more charge.<\/p>\n His first offence would only have resulted in an Origin chance-altering suspension if he had been hit with a Grade 3 offence, given he needed to miss two games for that to be a problem.<\/p>\n He is in the mix for a role in Laurie Daley’s side with Liam Martin<\/a> out injured, and his form is pushing for a spot alongside the likes of Haumole Olakau’atu<\/a> and Hudson Young<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Grade 1 charge from the MRC for the hit on Isaiya Katoa<\/a> will come with a $1000 fine if he accepts the early guilty plea, or $1500 if he fights it and loses.<\/p>\n The only other charge from Thursday’s game was to Thomas Flegler, with the Dolphins<\/a> forward slapped with a Grade 1 careless high tackle on Sitili Tupouniua<\/a>.<\/p>\n As it’s a second offence on his record, he will be slapped with a $1800 fine with an early guilty plea, or $2500 if he fights and loses.<\/p>\n Both players have until midday (AEST) on Saturday to determine their pleas.<\/p>\n
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