Suspensions loom large if players step out of line In SBW we trust Sydney Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce says the Roosters have total trust in their Kiwi superstar Sonny Bill Williams. PT1M56S http://www.smh.com.au/action/externalEmbeddedPlayer?id=d-2ud07 620 349 September 25, 2013 - 9:19AM Sonny Bill Williams and Sam Burgess are among 10 players heading into this weekend's preliminary finals matches knowing they could be one careless high tackle away from suspension due to carryover points from previous judiciary offences. Sydney Roosters forwards Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Luke O'Donnell, Frank-Paul Nuuausala and Aidan Guerra and South Sydney prop Jeff Lima would all be in danger of missing the grand final if they receive even the lowest-grade charge from this weekend's matches. Manly fullback Brett Stewart and Newcastle's Matt Hilder and Joey Leilua also face the same danger. Williams and Burgess may have to successfully contest any charge as they would attract loading from previous offences this season. Loading is calculated at 50 per cent of the base penalty for each previous similar offence and 20 per cent for each previous non-similar offence. Walking a tightrope: Sydney Roosters star Sonny Bill Williams. Williams has had two high tackle charges this season, including one for a hit on former Bulldogs team-mate Willie Mason in the Roosters' round-20 clash with the Knights that cost him a one-match ban. Burgess was suspended for two matches in round 22 after performing a "squirrel grip" on Melbourne centre Will Chambers. With the base penalty for a grade-one careless high tackle charge only worth 75 demerit points, most players would escape suspension for such an offence. Even a grade-two careless high tackle charge would not cost many players a ban from grand final as the base penalty is 125 demerit points but that figure can be reduced to 93 points with a 25 per cent discount for an early plea. However, there are 16 players involved in the preliminary-final matches between Souths and Manly on Friday night and the Roosters and Knights on Saturday night with previous judiciary offences this season who would attract loading. Star Rabbitohs fullback Greg Inglis would also attract loading for last season's shoulder charge gone wrong on Dean Young as serious offences count against a player for two years as opposed to 12 months for lesser charges such as a careless high tackle. One strike and you're out: Sam Burgess of the Rabbitohs. Photo: Scott Barbour Of the four remaining teams, the Roosters have the highest number of players charged this season, with Williams, Waerea-Hargreaves, O'Donnell, Nuuausala, Guerra, Boyd Cordner and Jake Friend all having been booked by the NRL match review committee. Waerea-Hargreaves returns from suspension this weekend after missing the Roosters' opening finals win against Manly due to a dangerous contact charge for flattening Souths forward Chris McQueen with his forearm in the round-26 clash. The Kiwi front-rower, who is in career-best form this season, was also suspended for five matches earlier in the season. O'Donnell only returned in the opening finals game following a three-match ban for a dangerous throw on Wests Tigers centre Tim Simona, while Nuuausala was charged with the same offence in round 25. Lima received a one-match suspension after round 23.