South Sydney will argue that Issac Luke feared he could have suffered a serious neck injury when he lashed out at Michael Ennis last Thursday night.
Luke will front the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night, a day earlier than the scheduled meeting because of the short turnaround to Thursday night's clash with the Roosters, in a bid to escape suspension for dangerous contact on the Bulldogs skipper.
However, Souths also risk losing Luke for the first week of the finals if they fail to convince the judiciary of his innocence.
Fairfax Media understands Luke feared for his safety after he was placed into an awkward position by Ennis, causng him to try to kick out of the tackle.
Ennis managed to hold Luke for an extended period with his neck bent into the ground and his legs in the air, placing extra pressure on Luke's neck by pushing down on his legs for up to four seconds before the South Sydney hooker tried to break out of Ennis' hold.
The Rabbitohs are also expected to contest whether there was minimal, if any, contact made with Ennis' face, which the former Blues hooker agreed with.
"At the time it was a reaction thing," Ennis said on Sky Sports Radio.
"I felt his boot just clip me. I don't remember where. It was more of a reaction. His legs were in a funny position. It's just that movement where you go to move out the way and he just sort of got me. Nothing in it. I get along with Issac very, very well. He's a good fella and a terrific player, too."
It comes just three weeks after Canterbury's Josh Reynolds was hit with a grade-one dangerous-contact charge for kicking Broncos forward Sam Thaiday during the Bulldogs' 41-10 loss to Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium in round 22.
That charge made up one week of a three-week suspension, which also included two weeks for tripping former teammate Ben Barba.
Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds has taken the early guilty plea for his grade-one dangerous-throw charge and will miss Thursday's potential minor premiership showdown with the Roosters.
Thaiday could miss Friday's crucial clash against Melbourne after he was charged with a grade-one dangerous-contact charge on St George Illawarra's Will Matthews.
It is likely the Broncos will fight the charge for the crusher tackle last Friday night, given Thaiday will still face one week off if he is unsuccessful in his bid to get off the charge.
Eels forward Ben Smith might have played his last game in the NRL after he was charged with a grade-three dangerous-contact charge for a crusher tackle on Newcastle's Chanel Mata'utia.
Smith will miss three games with an early plea and four games if he fights and loses.
Roosters centre Michael Jennings was hit with a grade-one careless high tackle but will escape suspension.
Bulldogs forward Dale Finucane will miss his side's final-round clash against the Titans on the Gold Coast on Sunday afternoon. Finucane took the early guilty plea for his grade-one dangerous-throw charge on Rabbitohs forward Jason Clark last Thursday night, but will be available if Canterbury qualify for the finals.
Penrith's Adam Docker was hit with a grade-one dangerous throw and will miss a minimum of two weeks after an early plea.
Titans lock Greg Bird will miss one game with an early plea for a dangerous throw on Sione Lousi, or risk missing the opening game of the Four Nations if he fights and loses.
Dragons hooker Mitch Rein faces a week for a dangerous-contact charge on Ben Hunt, while Sam Rapira can escape suspension with an early plea for his dangerous-contact charge.
