Canberra star Nick Cotric cops NRL ban for dangerous throw

Raiders management considered challenging the charge at the NRL judiciary but did not want to risk losing the case and having their star player banned for longer.

• Cotric: I never try to hurt an opponent

Canberra centre Nick Cotric has pleaded guilty to a dangerous throw and will accept a three-game suspension.

Raiders management considered challenging the charge at an NRL judiciary hearing on Tuesday night but did not want to risk losing the case and having their star player banned for four games.

Cotric was sent off for a dangerous throw on St George Illawarra centre Tim Lafai on Sunday in Wollongong.

Nick Cotric has copped a suspension for his tackle on Tim Lafai. Picture: Getty Images

Speaking with The Daily Telegraph on Monday, Cotric said: ““It’s not part of my game, it’s not part of my character.

“I would never intentionally hurt an opponent. It’s not what I stand for or what our club stands for.”

Cotric will now return for a round 21 match against the Sydney Roosters in Canberra.

Cotric’s ban was the right call according to The Daily Telegraph readers, with 58 per cent of voters in our poll saying three weeks was spot on.

Meanwhile, Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will contest a dangerous contact charge at the judiciary tonight.