Cronulla's stuttering start to the season took another body blow on Wednesday night with winger Misi Taulapapa suspended by the NRL judiciary for one match.

Taulapapa failed to beat a grade one dangerous contact charge for a head slam on Newcastle centre Junior Sau, and will now miss Sunday's much-anticipated local derby against St George Illawarra.

His absence could not have come at a worse time for the Sharks, who are already reeling from the unavailability of a host of first-choice players.

Prop Ben Ross (neck) and fullback Brett Kearney (foot) are out with injury, while halfback Brett Seymour still has one match to serve of a club-imposed suspension following an late night drinking session.

Youngster Mitch Brown is likely to take Taulapapa's place on the wing against the Dragons.

There was no luck for Melbourne centre Willie Isa either at the NRL judiciary with the Storm centre to miss Saturday night's trip to Townsville.

Isa was banned for one game for a grapple tackle as the NRL continued its crackdown on illegal contact with the head or neck, Isa one of three players this week to be suspended for grapple tackles.

The other two, Brisbane's Justin Hodges and Penrith's Gavin Cooper, both entered early guilty pleas on Tuesday.

Isa's suspension is likely to see 19-year-old Joseph Tomane get a run against North Queensland at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Saturday night, Tomane named on an extended bench as cover for Isa.

St George Illawarra Toyota Cup player Ken Edwards was suspended for four matches after being found guilty of a dangerous contact (biting) charge.

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