Ryan clearance sets new precedent - Dragons coach

St George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown believes the National Rugby League judiciary has set a precedent by clearing Bulldog Andrew Ryan of a blatant high tackle.

Ryan escaped punishment at the judiciary last night because his club argued that Dragon Jason Ryles had fallen almost 30cm in 0.2 seconds resulting in Ryan's unavoidable contact with the players jaw.

It is the second time a tackle featuring direct contact with the head has been cleared this season, with Tonie Carroll not even cited for a similar hit on Brett White during the first State of Origin clash.

Brown says the judiciary has now set a precedent for other high tackle charges to be contested and they must remain consistent with last night's ruling.

"Maybe it's set a precedent if blokes fall into things and set a precedent for blokes to get off," Brown said.

"If that's the case and they're consistent I don't think anyone can complain.

"Obviously they (Bulldogs) must have come up with a good argument."

Ryles, who previously stated he wanted Ryan cleared, didn't want to comment on the judiciary hearing today, but hopes he is shown the same leniency if his arm accidentally hits a player high.

"I don't want to make too much comment on it because I could be in the same position one day and I would want to get off as well," Ryles said.

"Whether it's the right one or wrong one it isn't anything to do with me now.

"(But) at end of the day there was contact with head."

Brown said the Ryan case was reason to consider the introduction of an 18th man from next season.

Ryles missed most of the first half after the Ryan tackle, and while the NSW prop played the second stanza and will play tomorrow night against Newcastle, Brown argues that his side was unfairly disadvantaged by the foul play and the Bulldogs unpunished.

Brown suggests an 18th man could replace a player injured by foul play which would allow the team to keep a four-man bench.

Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart has previously raised the idea in a weekend column.

"If a guy has to leave the field for what's deemed as foul play and a bloke is put on report and your bloke can't re-enter the field there should be an 18th man that should be introduced into the game," Brown said.

"Basically if Jason Ryles could not return and Bobcat (Ryan) got suspended, well Parramatta (Bulldogs opponents this week) would have got the benefit out of Bobcat doing foul play.

"I've seen it plenty of times when players knock a bloke out and he can't go back on the field and next week that bloke gets suspended but it doesn't help the team who he knocked out.

"I think its something we can all look at."

- AAP