South Sydney second rower David Fa'alogo will plead not guilty to a striking charge at the NRL judiciary on Wednesday night.

Fa'alogo has little to lose by fronting the judiciary given the Kiwi international was facing a two-match ban whether he took the early plea or not.

Fa'alogo received a grade one charge for using an elbow in his side's 39-12 loss to Newcastle on Sunday, but loading from two prior offences and 30 carry-over points bumped the penalty up to a two-match ban.

Another conviction will result in any similar indiscretion receiving an even greater loading.

Gold Coast duo Matthew Cross and Michael Henderson will each miss two games after pleading guilty to lifting tackles.

Teammate Anthony Laffranchi meanwhile is free to take on Melbourne on Friday night after also taking the early plea on a dangerous throw.

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