North Queensland's Reuben Cotter was controversially sin-binned for a high shot in a loss to Canberra, sparking coach Todd Payten's defense of the incident.
North Queensland coach Todd Payten insists his co-captain Reuben Cotter's high shot on Josh Papalii was a clash of heads after the representative lock was put on report.
The Cowboys will play Cronulla away in an elimination final on the back of a 50-30 thrashing by Canberra, that got off to a horror start for the hosts in Townsville when lock Cotter was sin-binned for a high shot on the retiring Raiders legend after just 15 seconds.
Referee Nick Pelgrave said it was reckless and forceful to the head, but Papalii passed his HIA and returned to go out a winner.
Payten said he was not resigned to losing Cotter for the Sharks showdown.