Tom Hancock's influence helped Cowboys co-captain Reuben Cotter avoid a two-game ban before the crucial elimination final.
There are any number of Cowboys stars who can help coach Todd Payten keep their season going this weekend, but it's the club's secret weapon off the field who may have played the biggest role leading into Saturday's elimination final.
Tom Hancock played a dozen games in the National Youth Competition for North Queensland and then spent eight seasons playing reserve grade, but his most valuable contribution came on Tuesday night at the judiciary.
Cowboys co-captain Reuben Cotter was facing a two-game ban for a high shot on Raiders legend Josh Papalii, and things didn't look great when the panel found him guilty.