Marketo found guilty
BLACKHAWKS secondrower Jake Marketo will miss the first week of finals after the club failed to overturn a grade one dangerous throw charge at the QRL judiciary last night.
Marketo ( pictured) was hit with two charges following the Blackhawks 40-18 loss to Sunshine Coast Falcons including a grade two dangerous throw.
Marketo had already pleaded guilty to the grade two charge which carried two weeks suspension, but had hoped to avoid the extra week carried by the second charge.
It is understood the QRL judiciary panel deliberated for 20 minutes before keto guilty of charge.
Blackhawks operations manager Adrian Thomson said it was a shame but the club just had to put their heads down and move forward.
“We believed we put a decent case forward but at the end of the day it is what it is,” he said.
“It is disappointing for us all. The boys have got to move forward, just aim for that top four and he will come back fresh for the second week of the finals.”
It will leave the club down a senior member of the squad as they make the tough run into finding Marthe second the finals. “It is not ideal leading into semi-finals,” Payne said.
“He would have been in some doubt for this weekend regardless after copping a knock (against the Falcons), but he well.
“Given we have taken the early guilty plea (on the grade two charge) there is no need to rush him back.”
Blackhawks under-20s caphas recovered quite tain Nathan Barrett has been named to take Marketo’s spot in the starting second-row, but Payne admitted a final decision on the team for Saturday’s clash with second-placed Wynnum-manly Seagulls was yet to be made.
“We also have Campbell (Duffy) on the bench who can play both as a middle forward or in the backrow,” Payne said.
“These next two games are crucial for our side. While we’re in no danger of missing the eight, there is a massive advantage to being in the top four.
“Norths are breathing down our necks, so we need to be at our best.”