The panel of Don McKinnon, Sean Garlick and Bob Lindner deliberated for 12 minutes, before finding Graham guilty of the grade-one careless high tackle charge on Cowboys halfback Johnathan Thurston on Monday night. The charge carried a one-week suspension.

"Obviously I'm very disappointed to miss out on the game," Graham said in a short statement. "There's not really words to describe how disappointing it is.”

Frizell was 18^th man for game one, but missed out on selection for the must-win game against Queensland in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Graham was poised to replace Boyd Cordner, out for the series and possibly the season with a foot injury.

Frizell is now expected to come off the bench to make his debut for the Blues, with Greg Bird poised to start on the left edge. 

Meanwhile, Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy would not be entirely surprised if Dugan is a late inclusion on Saturday but said he would more likely be in Blues camp than at Dragons training if he was a chance of being fit this week.

The reigning Brad Fitler Medalist remains on track for an early return from elbow surgery but it’s unlikely to come in time for Origin II next week.

Dugan underwent surgery on the elbow injury that forced his late withdrawal from the Blues line-up for game one, forcing Josh Morris to make a quick dash from Canberra to NSW camp.

Bulldogs coach Des Hasler was highly critical of Blues management after losing Morris the morning of his side’s clash with Canberra and Blues coach Laurie Daley is unlikely to risk a similar situation arising again.

Dugan wasn’t named in Daley’s squad for game two and trained solo at the Dragons Wednesday session leaving him an outside chance at best to play against Melbourne on Saturday.

“It could happen but I’d be surprised if that’s the case to be quite honest,” Bellamy said. 

“I think if he was going to be playing this weekend he’d be up at Coffs Harbour [in NSW camp]. I’m sure NSW would have asked St George whether he was going to be available.

“I might be wrong, I’m not a doctor, but I think if he was going to be available this week that’s where he’d be and that’s where he’d be playing next Wednesday.”

Jason Nightingale has worn the No.1 in Dugan’s absence and expects Dugan to return against Newcastle.

“There’s a big difference between running with a sore elbow and tackling with one so I don’t think he’ll be ready yet,” Nightingale said.

“The way he attacks the game means he gets pretty banged up and bruised but he had an operation just a couple of weeks ago so to see him this close to being back is impressive in itself.

“He may test it out later this week with a contact session but I’d say he’ll most likely be back next week so I’m preparing to play fullback.”