The final four hopes of the North Queensland Cowboys have copped a hammer blow with superstar Valentine Holmes handed a three match ban for a high-shot in Sunday’s loss to the Titans.
Cowboys centre Holmes was handed the lengthy suspension following a dangerous tackle on Titans fullback Jayden Campbell after which he was sent to the sin bin.
The ban comes a week after Holmes was whacked with an $1800 fine for a similar high shot on Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses and the grade 2 charge resulted in a four-week suspension, which reduces to three with an early guilty plea.
Preliminary finalists last year, the Cowboys slipped to eighth on the ladder after losing to the Titans, having been within striking distance of the top four before he defeat.
The loss of Holmes for clashes against the Broncos, then Cronulla comes at the exact wrong time of the year.
“I’m really disappointed,” Cowboys coach Todd Payten said after the loss.
“We fought really hard in that first half to stay in front 13-10. We gave away far too many penalties and I can’t argue with the penalties.
“They ran harder, tackled harder and built pressure better than we were able to. The way we started the second half was unacceptable, with two tries in quick succession.
“That game was there to be won. A couple of our Origin boys looked a little flat. We were outplayed and that’s what disappoints me.”