Rugby, Australian Football: Ricketson needs a downgrade

DEVASTATED Sydney Roosters lock Luke Ricketson this morning will meet club officials to formalise a defence against a striking charge which, if unsuccessful, will see him miss Sunday's grand final.

Ricketson was charged with a grade-three offence by the NRL's match review committee for striking North Queensland's Nathan Fien in the third minute of a frenetic opening to the preliminary final at Telstra Stadium last Sunday.

The Roosters have two options available to them at the judiciary tomorrow night: they could attempt to have the charge thrown out, or plead guilty and try to have it downgraded.

Given that the NRL match review committee graded the charge at level three the latter is the likely action.