Brothers halfback Sam Macklan faces 18-game suspension for high tackle on Tumut co-coach Lachlan Bristow

Macklan has been slapped with a grade two intentional high tackle charge and with loading from a previous offence, is staring at an 18-game suspension.

Macklan was put on report and sent off for a high shot on Tumut co-coach Lachlan Bristow late in the second half of Brothers 66-0 loss to the Blues last Saturday.

The grade two intentional classification, along with the loading from the previous offence, has the penalty at 2400 points, or 24 games. But with a 25 per cent reduction for a guilty plea, it comes down to 18.

Brothers will take the case to the Group Nine judiciary on Wednesday night where they plan to plead guilty to a downgraded charge.

Brothers president Mitch Dunn could not believe the penalty came back at 18 weeks.

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"For what it was, they had been tackling all day, hadn't had much ball, he's run back onside, he's turned and thrown his arm up. It's graded as intentional but to me, intentional is planting your feet, someone coming straight at you and you're hitting them across the forehead. It's definitely not that," Dunn said.

"He's pleading guilty. There's no doubt that he copped him high but to say it's an intentional high tackle and potentially miss 18 weeks, they wonder why blokes aren't playing the game. It's crazy."

Macklan, 19, is in his first full season in the top grade and has done an admirable job, holding down the halfback position in what has been a difficult season for Brothers.

Brothers, who remain winless, have the bye this weekend and finish with games against teams just above them on the ladder, cross-town rivals Kangaroos and Albury.

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