Kiwi Ferns and St George Illawarra Dragons winger Madison Bartlett has received a one-match ban in the NRLW, pleading guilty to a charge of biting an opponent.
Bartlett, 27, was charged with dangerous contact on Parramatta Eels five-eighth Sereana Naitokatoka on Sunday, as her Dragons side took a 10-0 victory at Wollongong.
Fronting the NRL Judiciary on Tuesday, Bartlett was represented by her father Todd, who argued the bite was a "reflex clench" as Naitokatoka's arm made contact with her face in a tackle.
The NRL's Lachlan Gyles recommended a two to three-week ban for Bartlett, with the NRLW's regular season only running for five weeks, potentially ruling her out for the remainder of the year.
But the judiciary panel saw otherwise, and handed Bartlett a one-week ban, allowing her to return to play from round four.
Bartlett was also named in the NRLW's team of the week for her performance against the Eels, running for 98 metres in her side's victory.
Naitokatoka was charged with dangerous contact to the head or neck for her role in the same incident but has escaped with a warning.
