Manly's preparations for Sunday's must-win qualifying final against St George Illawarra are in disarray after the NRL match review committee charged three Sea Eagles players with high tackles.

Centre Steve Matai, prop Jason King and backrower Chris Bailey all have cases to answer, with both Matai and King facing bans even with early guilty pleas.

Matai was the hardest hit with a minimum seven-match ban for his grade three reckless high tackle charge after an ugly hit on Canterbury hooker Michael Ennis at Brookvale Oval on Sunday.

The Kiwi international will risk a possible nine-match ban by contesting the charge at the NRL judiciary.

Loading and carry-over points have conspired to threaten King's finals involvement after copping a grade one careless high tackle charge, the lowest possible grading for a high tackle.

Bailey was given an identical charge, but his clean record means he will be free to face the Dragons with an early plea, which will be of some relief to coach Des Hasler with the Sea Eagles also batting a lengthy injury list.

South Sydney backrower Dave Taylor, who was named in the Kangaroos train-on squad on Monday for the end of season Four Nations tournament, will escape suspension despite a high tackle charge.

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