The Bulldogs insist their Kiwis star Sonny Bill Williams was harshly treated and have complained about "sub-standard" National Rugby League (NRL) refereeing after Williams accepted a two-match ban today.
Williams will return for the Good Friday match against South Sydney, a fortnight before the Anzac test against Australia, after the Bulldogs decided not to contest a grade two reckless tackle charge today.
He faced a three-match ban for the high shot on Newcastle star Andrew Johns if he contested the charge and was found guilty.
The Bulldogs issued a strongly worded statement in defence of Williams who was sent off after just four minutes of their 24-25 loss to Newcastle on Sunday.
"Sonny will take an early plea, however the vision we saw reinforces our view that the tackle should have been graded careless rather than reckless," Bulldogs chief executive Malcolm Noad said.
"The club also reaffirms its position that despite the unfortunate outcome the tackle did not warrant a send-off, there was no swinging arm, no closed fist and Andrew Johns had been tackled by another player and was dropping."
Noad said the decision by referee Tony Archer had set a precedent on send-offs for the rest of the season.
Coach Steve Folkes said after Sunday's match he had seen "about 15" such tackles in four other matches he'd watched over the weekend, none of which were deemed send-off offences.
Folkes said he was lodging a formal complaint to the NRL about Archer's performance.
"We believe the officiating on Sunday was below NRL standard and incorrect decisions had a direct result on the outcome of the game."
He said the send-off in the opening minutes meant Williams was effectively suspended for three matches.
Johns is likely to miss just one match, against St George Illawarra on Friday, after scans cleared the legendary halfback of a fractured cheekbone.
Folkes remained adamant the vocal Newcastle crowd put the pressure on Archer.
"Obviously, Joey (Johns) was hurt, but it was a tough crowd and tough for the referee. I stand by the fact that I don't think he should have been sent off," Folkes told reporters this week.
"It is his first indiscretion. Accidents happen."
Williams telephoned Johns on Sunday night and offered an apology which Johns accepted.
"I know he didn't deliberately go out of his way to try to hurt me - it was just one of those things that can happen on the field," Johns wrote in his Daily Telegraph column today.
"I'm glad the league didn't go too heavy on him for the tackle. I've watched it on replay and I know it was an accident."
Williams' return will set up an electric fourth round match on April 6 against Souths, with new Kiwis signings David Kidwell, Nigel Vagana and Roy Asotasi, who stamped their mark on the new season with an 18-6 win over Sydney City yesterday.
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