CANBERRA forward Tom Learoyd-Lahrs will face the National Rugby League judiciary tonight in a desperate attempt to keep his season alive.

Learoyd-Lahrs will dispute the grading of his grade-four dangerous throw charge, which threatens to rule him out for up to seven games if he is found guilty.

A reduction to a grade-three charge would result in only a three-match ban, which would allow the former Brisbane back-rower to return to the paddock in the first week of the finals.

Learoyd-Lahrs lifted Newcastle prop Ben Cross before driving the NSW state-of-origin representative into the ground early in the second half of last Sunday's 38-18 win over the Knights.

Wests Tigers second-rower Corey Payne is facing one game on the sidelines after being charged with making unnecessary contact with the face of Parramatta full-back Jarryd Hayne in Monday night's loss to the Eels.

Payne has until midday to enter a plea.

The two other players charged from the weekend — Brisbane hooker Michael Ennis and Melbourne Storm back-rower Sika Manu — both took the early guilty plea, with both players free to play this weekend.

■Brisbane greats Allan Langer and Ben Ikin reckon the Broncos are one of the few sides capable of stopping Melbourne from claiming successive NRL premierships.

But they agree the Broncos must tighten up in defence and find the attacking flair of past Brisbane sides.

"Brisbane need to keep all their key players on the field and build towards the finals. I still think at full strength and playing their best, they are one of the few sides capable of testing Melbourne," said Ikin, who was a member of the Brisbane side that plucked the Roosters 14-6 in the 2000 grand final.
AAP