Reuben Cotter in Doubt for Origin I After High Tackle Charge

Queensland Maroons forward and Cowboys lock Reuben Cotter is in serious doubt for the State of Origin series opener after being charged with a grade-two careless high tackle during Magic Round. The incident occurred during the Cowboys’ narrow 30-26 loss to the Warriors on Saturday night, when Cotter was placed on report for a high shot on Warriors second-rower Marata Niukore. The tackle came just before the Warriors crossed for their first try of the night.

Despite not being penalised or sin-binned on the field, the NRL’s match review committee later deemed the tackle serious enough to warrant a two-match suspension, given it was Cotter’s second offence. If he were to challenge the charge at the judiciary and lose, he would face a three-game ban, effectively ruling him out of the opening State of Origin clash on May 28 in Brisbane. With the Cowboys scheduled to play only two more games before then — and having a bye the week prior — Cotter’s chances of taking the field again before Origin I appear slim.

The timing is unfortunate for both Cotter and Queensland coach Billy Slater, who would have been counting on the tough forward for the Maroons’ campaign. The NRL had intensified scrutiny on high tackles during Magic Round after a chaotic previous weekend saw 18 sin bins handed out. Although referees and the match review committee initially appeared consistent through the first few matches of the round, Cotter’s tackle stands out due to its severity — despite not being addressed during the game.

Other players facing sanctions from the weekend include Tevita Tatola (Souths), Braydon Trindall (Sharks), Zach Dockar-Clay (Roosters), and Kulikefu Finaefeuaki (Dolphins), all of whom were handed fines for dangerous contact or high tackles.

Cotter’s case, however, looms largest, with a State of Origin jersey potentially on the line.