James Tamou insists there was no malice and instantly regretted his hit on Sam Walker that has seen him rubbed out of the start of the NRL season.
The Wests Tigers co-captain's one-game ban headlined a Saturday of pre-season controversy around the match review committee, with Lindsay Collins also able to escape with a fine for dangerous contact.
Tamou found himself in trouble when he attacked the legs of Sydney Roosters halfback Walker in the Tigers' 16-8 trial win on Friday night.