Widdop charged with tripping, free to play

St George Illawarra playmaker Gareth Widdop will escape suspension for a tripping charge in the Dragons' loss to Brisbane on Thursday night.

Widdop was charged with tripping Broncos' winger Jordan Kahu in the first half of their 26-0 drubbing at Suncorp Stadium.

However, even if the Englishman was to contest the charge at the judiciary and lose, the base penalty of points would still leave him free to face Gold Coast on April 16.