North Queensland's Reuben Cotter is suspended for a crucial finals match against Cronulla after a high tackle.
North Queensland is facing a do-or-die final without their forward pack leader Reuben Cotter after he was handed a one-match suspension for a high tackle on Josh Papali'i.
Just when the Cowboys thought it couldn't get any worse after their 50-30 loss to Canberra, Cotter was handed a one-match ban with an early guilty plea, after he hit the retiring Papali'i high in the first set of the game.
The Cowboys are set to face Cronulla at Allianz Stadium in week one of the finals, with Cotter a massive out if suspended.
The Cowboys' middle is likely to seek a downgrade at the judiciary on Tuesday night with the club's season over if they lose next week.
Cronulla, who looked much improved without their big guns, will also be without young gun Michael Gabrael for two weeks.