National Rugby League match review committee chairman Greg McCallum has denied the committee went easy on Manly's Steve Matai because he could miss out on next week's Grand Final.
He's defended the decision not to charge the Kiwis centre with dangerous contact.
Matai was cleared of any charges after sliding in feet first in an attempt to prevent Brisbane's Jharal Yow Yeh from scoring a try in his side's 26-14 win on Friday.
His Manly team-mate Tony Williams was charged with a grade two careless high tackle, after also being put on report for a challenge on Yow Yeh, but he too will be free to face the Warriors with an early guilty plea.
Matai, with a poor history at the judiciary, appeared to be in grave danger of missing next Sunday's grand final, but McCallum says after reviewing footage of the incident, there was no way the committee could have charged the 27-year-old.
McCallum says Matai led with his foot to try and stop the ball being put down and made no contact with the player.
