North Queensland forward Coen Hess has been charged with careless high contact for a tackle that floored South Sydney centre Campbell Graham.
Hess was sin-binned for the high shot, and can now accept a one-game ban or risk two games if he fights it at the judiciary.
But with one round left before finals, and the Cowboys secure in the top eight, it’s unlikely the club will risk losing Hess for the first playoff.
The suspension will not please Phil Gould, who couldn’t believe Hess was sin-binned for the tackle he claims didn’t make contact with Graham’s head.
“He hasn’t hit him in the head, and to his credit Campbell Graham bounces up,” Gould said on Nine’s post-game coverage.
“What do you want the game to look like if that’s illegal? What did you want him to do?
“Did you want Coen Hess to run in and tackle like Victor Radley? Put his head down at his knees?”
