JAMES ‘The Jet’ Roberts is set to be grounded for the Broncos sudden-death semi-final next week after being charged with contrary conduct for kicking the Gold Coast’s Ryan Simpkins.

While Broncos coach Wayne Bennett scoffed at suggestions his star centre would face any sanction, the Match Review Committee disagreed, hitting Roberts with a one-week ban that will rub him out of Brisbane’s semi-final against either Melbourne or the Cowboys.

Roberts kicked out in frustration in the 51st minute as Simpkins lay in the ruck trying to stop a quick play the ball and slow a Broncos attack.

He will need to successfully appeal the charge to play in what could be Brisbane’s last match of 2016.

Round 20

Captain Corey Parker though will be available having escaped charge for an apparent headbutting incident as he tangled with Ryan James in a 57th minute scrum.

The Broncos skipper swung around with his head and connected with James as the pair niggled each other, but was not charged by the MRC. He was issued a concerning act as James was left less than impressed with the 34-year-old’s conduct.

Losing Roberts is a massive blow for the Broncos, robbing them of a key strike weapon in attack and disrupting a right-edge combination that already saw Bennett start three-game rookie Jonus Pearson on the wing against the Titans.

Bennett was bullish when questioned about the incident afterwards, declaring “They are never going to charge that.”

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However, Titans coach Neil Henry had a completely different view, criticising the Roberts incident as well as a controversial penalty try that marred Brisbane’s win.

“A player (Roberts) had two goes at him (Simpkins) and isn’t penalised,” he fired.

Roberts has been the centre of plenty of negative publicity in recent times after two alcohol-fuelled incidents at Brisbane pubs in the last six weeks.

Ryan Simpkins reacts to being kicked by James Roberts. Source: Supplied

But as is his way, Bennett launched at the media when asked about Roberts’ recent form and behaviour.

“James is like Adam Blair and Anthony Milford, you all find fault with them,” Bennett said.

“I don’t know when you guys will learn, you see it every year. It takes time to settle here at the Broncos, you can’t expect them to blast off, we have established systems here and new players take time to adjust to it.”

For his part, Parker was extremely impressed with Roberts’ performance, with the centre playing one of his best games since switching from the Titans in the off-season.

The man they call ‘Jet’ was at his frightening best when he ran the ball, causing all sorts of trouble for the Titans’ edge.

“There’s no player I’d like to see in open spaces more,” Parker said.

“The pleasing thing is he was probing, he made things happen and that’s a good sign.”

The writer is on Twitter @glover_benny

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