Rising Dragons star referred to NRL judiciary for tackle that ended Origin gun's season

Dragons forward Ryan Couchman has been referred straight to the NRL judiciary for a tackle that ended the season of Parramatta forward J'maine Hopgood on Sunday.

Hopgood ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee when Couchman fell on the back of his leg in a tackle gone wrong.

On Monday, the match review committee could not decide Couchman's fate and so have referred him to the judiciary, which will likely sit on Tuesday night.

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NRL legend Billy Slater says while the result of the tackle was devastating, the action itself wasn't malicious.

"I feel for Ryan Couchman as well because there was zero intent of hurting an opposition player in the tackle," he told Nine's The Billy Slater Podcast.

"He looks like a really respectful guy. None of those hip-drops look like you're trying to hurt them... I do feel for Ryan because he would be waking up feeling pretty disappointed as well."

The Dragons have lost all three games to start their season and will now almost certainly be without Couchman for a number of weeks.

Hopgood was shattered following the game, but held no ill will towards Couchman, who approached the Eels star to apologise after full time.

"It's shattering, mate. I've never had one [ACL injury] before, but [I'm told] you go through a rollercoaster of emotions," Hopgood told The Sydney Morning Herald.

"He came up to me after the game. I know he didn't mean it, but they did make the tackle illegal for a reason.

"There are no hard feelings there. I just have to look forward now."

The Eels were hit by a double injury blow after Hopgood and Jordan Samrani both hobbled off CommBank Stadium with knee problems against the Dragons.

St George Illawarra also had one slight issue with Clint Gutherson dislocating his finger late in the match.

Hopgood was first to leave in the 28th minute when the Dragons were leading 14-6.

Damien Cook went high on the Eels forward while Couchman went low before landing on his legs. Cook immediately signalled to the referee to stop play with Hopgood in agony.

Couchman was sent to the sin bin for the dangerous tackle before Hopgood departed the field.

"He looks to be in some discomfort," Slater said on Nine.

Eels coach Jason Ryles wasn't willing to criticise Couchman, instead referencing fatigue, which has only heightened with the six again rules and strict policing of ruck infringements.

"Those tackles, 99.99 per cent of the time, the boys don't mean it, it's not intentional," he said.

"Unfortunately if you keep throwing fatigue in the game and making them more tired, they happen. That's the reality and you've just got to practise and mitigate it as much as you can."

With Couchman off the field, the Dragons conceded one try from Tallyn Da Silva as the lead became skinnier.

The Eels then grabbed an 18-14 lead right on the break through Kitione Kautoga but it wasn't all good news.

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In back play, Samrani was on his haunches with a no-contact knee problem.

"He had one run with the ball and then said 'nah' and fell to the ground. He's in all sorts of pain," Brad Fittler said.

Samrani had to be assisted off and hobbled from the field. The Eels later told Nine the injury wasn't believed to be ACL related.

Parramatta's lead extended when Da Silva scored his second right after half-time.

In the 55th minute it was the Eels' turn for a sin bin when Charlie Guymer was marched for a professional foul.

That led to a Dragons try through Moses Suli to put the Dragons four points behind.

With 17 minutes left, the Dragons were on the attack and shifted from right to left as Gutherson almost broke the line before passing inside. Gutherson was spotted holding his finger and the next tackle he tried another pass that was knocked on by the Eels.

The fullback then showed his left pinky, which was at a right angle, to the trainer.

"That's a fair excuse for the pass," Slater said.

Gutherson charged on but couldn't inspire the Dragons to victory as a runaway Josh Addo-Carr try late in the piece sealed Parramatta's 30-20 win.