NRL: Graham avoids kicking charge

James Graham, of the Bulldogs, eyes up South Sydney's Nathan Brown. Photo / Getty Images

Canterbury's James Graham is free to line up in next week's elimination final against Penrith after being cleared of a kicking charge by the NRL match review committee.

Graham escaped charge for an ugly looking incident in which he almost came to blows with English team-mate Sam Burgess in the Bulldogs' loss to South Sydney on Friday.

After Burgess came in late to hit Graham, the Bulldogs skipper lashed out with a leg.

He avoided a charge because he did not make contact with Burgess, with whom he had a running battle for most of the night.