NSW’s Haumole Olakau’atu and Cameron Murray are facing two-match suspensions following the Blues’ State of Origin series-deciding victory.

Olakau’atu and Murray were both hit with grade-three contrary conduct charges on Thursday morning, after running in to a first-half melee from NSW’s bench at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.

Seven other players – Queensland’s Jeremiah Nanai, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Reuben Cotter, Felise Kaufusi and NSW’s Brian To’o, Matt Burton and Payne Haas – were also charged with contrary conduct over the melee but can escape with fines.

There had been a suggestion that Olakau’atu could face up to four matches due to prior offences, but they do not carry over from club matches.

Murray was sin-binned for charging into the melee, which was instigated by Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans and Blues five-eighth Jarome Luai.

Olakau’atu, the Blues’ 18th man, was evicted from the playing arena after his involvement, and was forced to watch NSW lift the shield from the tunnel.

Cherry-Evans was adamant after the game that Murray should have been sent off, labelling his actions as “unacceptable”.

But NSW coach Michael Maguire came to the defence of the Blues pair, suggesting it was a positive they had stuck up for their teammates.

“When you look at that moment, Cam Murray is one of the nicest blokes in the game,” he said.

“He plays the game to perfection. He obviously went down there because he cares for one of his teammates.

“I’ve known Cameron for a long time, never thought he’d jump into something like that, but it just goes to show what the group mean to each other.”