Raiders gun Josh Papalii hit with one-game ban for ugly 'swinging arm' on Bulldogs prop

Raiders veteran Josh Papalii has been hit with a one-week ban for a brutal high shot on Sam Hughes during his side's 14-10 loss against the Bulldogs.

Midway through the first half of Thursday night's clash at GIO Stadium, Papalii darted out of the line and collected Hughes with a massive shot from a kick off.

Hughes reeled out of the tackle and players from both teams came in for a brief scuffle, before referee Adam Gee blew time off and things settled down.

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Replays showed the contact from Papalii was clearly high and Andrew Johns was adamant the front-rower was about to be given his marching orders.

"That's a swinging arm from big Papa," Johns said on Nine.

"That's a sin bin, he is going for a rest. This may be even more than a sin bin."

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Papalii was then called out by the on-field official and sent for 10 minutes - but it easily could have been worse for the Green Machine.

"I don't know if anyone has ever been relieved to go to the sin bin, but watching the slow-mo, you couldn't argue if it was a send-off," commentator Mat Thompson said.

On Friday morning the match review committee deemed the high shot worthy of a grade two careless high tackle charge. Papalii can opt to challenge the suspension but he will risk a two-game ban if he is found guilty by the judiciary.

The game had no shortage of feeling in the early stages and it was no surprise to see Jaeman Salmon in the thick of it, given his history with the Raiders and Ricky Stuart.

Savelio Tamale opened the scoring less than five minutes in, before Stephen Crichton put the visitors ahead with a try and two penalty goals.

Things could have gone from bad to worse for the hosts when Tom Starling was spotted on the deck and in pain, but the tough hooker managed to play on briefly before being substituted off the field for bench dummy-half Jayden Brailey.

"He looks in all sorts ... no doubt he's got a burner," Johns said.

Ethan Strange was placed on report for a high tackle of his own right before the break, but the Raiders managed to hold on and defend their own line in the rain.

The second half had plenty of sloppy moments as the horrendous conditions only got worse, before Hudson Young sent a further scare through Canberra's camp when he clutched at his lower leg after an awkward tackle from two Dogs defenders.

Replays showed a potential hip-drop tackle from Lachlan Galvin, but the referee and the Bunker officials let it slide without a penalty and Young was cleared to stay on.

"He lost his legs, that's a hip-drop," Johns said.

A wretched night continued when Joseph Tapine was forced off the field for a HIA at a crucial period after copping Crichton's stray boot to the face.

Tapine had blood pouring from his nose as he was helped towards the sideline by trainers, leaving the home side without their inspirational leader for 15 minutes.

Jacob Preston put the visitors eight points clear late in the piece, crashing over the line after a slick play from Bailey Hayward and Connor Tracey in the lead-up.

Tamale bagged his second try to set up a grandstand finish, but the Dogs defence - in particular fullback Tracey - stood up and held off a fast-finishing opposition.

"A low scorer in atrocious conditions and the Bulldogs reign supreme," Thompson said.

- with Alyssa Bone