Silver lining for Penrith Panthers skipper Petero Civoniceva

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Fijian International PETERO Civoniceva’s controversial send-off has arrived as a blessing in disguise for the Panthers skipper, possibly reducing his suspension from three weeks to a fortnight.

The NRL match review committee has this morning hit Civoniceva with a grade three reckless tackle charge for last night’s ugly high shot on Bulldogs back rower Gary Warburton.

The charge carries 400 demerit points, but would be reduced to 300 should Civoniceva choose to plead guilty.

However, send-off victims are also eligible to claim a one point discount for each minute they spend off the field. Marched 10 minutes from the siren, Civoniceva’s load would therefore be reduced to 290 points – or a two-match suspension – should he chose to accept the punishment.

AFTER 266 games as a rugby league cleanskin, Petero Civoniceva was sent off last night and faces the agony of watching Penrith’s grand final charge from the sidelines.

Civoniceva was marched by referee Steve Lyons for a high tackle on Canterbury’s Gary Warburton in the 70th minute of his side’s last-second 24-18 win at ANZ Stadium.

It was a good old-fashioned swinging arm and, if the NRL is fair dinkum, Civoniceva should be suspended for up to four matches.

It would be sad and cruel for such a rugby league icon to miss the finals – but Civoniceva’s right arm crashed into Warburton’s chin with a thud.

Civoniceva has never been sent off before and has not been charged since 2006. He was the first player sent off this season.

“I’m not going to articulate at the moment [about the incident],” Panthers coach Matt Elliott said. “We will have a closer look and then go through the process.”

Asked whether he was worried he might be without his inspirational skipper for the finals, Elliott said: “Yeah. But I’m shooting from the hip at the moment. I haven’t had a close look. Petero’s record is pretty good.”

Civoniceva did not comment last night but Canterbury coach Kevin Moore said Warburton was still groggy in the dressingrooms.

“Everyone knows Petero isn’t a dirty player but he will still have something to answer for,” Moore said.

On a tip from video referee Paul Simpkins, Lyons told Civoniceva: “It was a swinging arm. You hit him in the chin, you’re off.”

One does wonder whether the refs felt under pressure to march a player after Manly’s Glenn Stewart avoided being dismissed on Sunday.

It was a heartbreaking match for Bulldogs halfback Brett Kimmorley. Playing his final match at ANZ Stadium, Kimmorley had the chance to break an 18-all deadlock with a field goal attempt in the final six seconds.

But the kick was charged down with Penrith’s Luke Lewis collecting the loose ball before sending the jet-propelled Michael Jennings away on a 55m dash to the tryline after fulltime.

Bulldogs players fell to the ground in agony, knowing Kimmorley and fullback Luke Patten would walk off their home ground for the final time as losers.

“I turned around and the ball was going the other way – it was disappointing,” Kimmorley said.

“After being in the game for a long time, you sometimes don’t get the send-off you might deserve.”

Moore added: “The script was there for Noddy to kick the field goal.”

Victory guarantees Penrith a home final.

The Panthers were down 16-0 last night before clawing their way back.

“Our fans deserve a home final,” Elliott said.

PENRITH 24 (S Earl M Jennings B Tighe T Waterhouse tries M Gordon 4 goals) bt BULLDOGS 18 (J Idris A Ryan S Turner tries B Goodwin 3 goals) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Tony De Las Heras, Steve Lyons. Crowd: 13,794. AAP