Representative forward Lindsay Collins could miss the Sydney Roosters' NRL finals campaign after pleading guilty to the dangerous contact charge incurred for his hip drop tackle on Tom Eisenhuth.
Collins was handed a grade three charge, the worst category possible, for his hit late in the Roosters' defeat of fellow premiership heavyweights Melbourne on Friday night.
The match was Collins' first back from a concussion lay-off but he will now miss four more games, meaning the Queensland State of Origin forward will only feature again this season if the Roosters make the grand final.
Roosters captain James Tedesco said Collins had been left "shattered" by his ban, which was extended due to his prior record.
"It's disappointing for 'Linds'," Tedesco said.
"Since Origin, he's only played a couple of games with the head knocks and now suspension.
"He's such a good player for us. He's a big part of our forward pack going forward."
Collins had been considered a chance to fight his charge in a bid to play again sooner, but would have risked sitting five games out if found guilty at the judiciary.
Tedesco said the chance to play in grand final had motivated Collins' decision to take the early guilty plea.
Collins made his NRL debut in 2017 but missed out on selection in the 2018 and 2019 premiership-winning sides despite playing in both grand final qualifiers.
"You don't want to take that risk of trying to fight it and miss a grand final," Tedesco said.
"It hurts to miss four games but there's confidence and belief that we can win our next four games and have him back for the grand final."
The NRL has begun coming down hard on instances of the hip drop tackle, an illegal move where a defender grips onto the ball-carrier and, using their hips, applies dangerous pressure to the rival's legs.
The tackle can cause serious damage and the Storm have already confirmed Eisenhuth has been left with a season-ending ankle injury.
Collins' Roosters teammates Victor Radley and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves have entered guilty pleas for their respective dangerous contact and contrary conduct charges but will escape suspension with fines.
Radley is set to miss this weekend's game against South Sydney but is recovering well since suffering a sickening concussion against Melbourne.
The lock forward knocked himself out attempting to tackle Jesse Bromwich and was convulsing on the field before leaving in a medi-cab.
"It was really scary," Roosters utility Connor Watson said.
"He's bounced back pretty well. He was sweet after the game, he reckons he hasn't had any problems.
"He'll be right in a couple of weeks and ready to go."
