Canberra Raiders News

North Queensland's Reuben Cotter faces a one-game suspension for a high tackle on Josh Papalii before the NRL finals.

Wide World of Sports

North Queensland have copped a huge blow on the eve of the NRL finals, with star forward Reuben Cotter facing a one-game suspension.

Cotter was sin-binned after the opening tackle of Saturday night's loss to the Raiders, after collecting retiring veteran Josh Papalii with a high shot.

From the opening kick-off, Cotter and teammate Coen Hess raced into contact, with Papalii dazed on the floor as he reeled out of the tackle.

Replays showed Cotter's shoulder had hit Papalii high and he was given his marching orders by on-field referee Nick Pelgrave.

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Reuben Cotter and Michael Gabrael face expulsion from NRL finals after charges from the match review committee.

Zero Tackle

North Queensland Cowboys veteran forward Reuben Cotter and Cronulla Sharks outside back Michael Gabrael are both facing expulsion from Week 1 of the NRL finals after being charged by the match review committee.

The duo are part of a charge list which features eight players out of Saturday's triple header, which saw the Manly Sea Eagles come within a whisker of beating the New Zealand Warriors, the Canberra Raiders shock the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville, and the Melbourne Storm clinch a last second victory over the Cronulla Sharks.

Cotter, playing for the Cowboys in their alarm bell raising loss, has been hit with a Grade 2 carless high tackle charge for a first minute shot on Josh Papalii, who was playing his final game before retirement.

The Queensland State of Origin representative was sin binned for the offence and, given it's a first on his record, he will only cop a single game off if he accepts the early guilty plea, while the risk of missing a second game applies if he challenges.

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