Penrith captain Petero Civoniceva will miss the Panthers' opening game of the NRL finals series after taking the early guilty plea to his reckless high tackle charge.

The prop will serve a two match ban on the grade three charge after being sent off in the 70th minute of Monday's 24-18 win over Canterbury after catching Bulldogs backrower Gary Warburton across the chin with a swinging arm.

It means the 33-year-old will sit out Saturday's final round encounter with Cronulla at CUA Stadium and also miss the club's first home final since 2004 the following week.

Civoniceva risked an extra one match on his ban if he unsuccessfully contested the charge at a hearing.

Ironically, Civoniceva's send off, the first of the 2010 season, helped him avoid a further ban after he received a 10-point discount.

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