Former NRL player Jeremy Smith will spend a week on the Newcastle Rugby League sidelines having been found guilty of a low-level striking charge.
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Smith took his case to the Newcastle RL judiciary during the week but failed to have his charge downgraded and won't be available to feature in Souths' last-round fixtures against Cessnock at Townson Oval on Saturday.
The punished incident occurred 59 minutes into Souths' 18-12 loss away to Kurri in reserve grade on the weekend with Smith's elbow, while in possession of the ball, coming into contact with an opponents head during a tackle.
He should still qualify to play semi-finals for Souths in 2019 having been listed in five matches, two reserves and three open grade, since June 2.
In other Newcastle RL judiciary matters this week, there were four other charges of striking in the lower grades.
Lakes' Oskar Muir was suspended for two games with an early guilty plea while Central's Jordan Wilton escaped penalty at the panel following a 69th minute incident in reserves at Cahill Oval on Saturday.
In the under 19s, Kurri's Travis Owen Sams and Souths' Zac Jones will miss three and one weeks respectively.
