If Wayne Bennett got his wish for an NRL grand final replay, Brisbane halfback Ben Hunt would have to watch on from the sidelines.
Hunt has accepted a one-game suspension for a lifting tackle on North Queensland centre Kane Linnett in Sunday's grand final loss.
The playmaker was rubbed out for just one game despite incurring a grade two dangerous throw charge, with his penalty reduced because of his good record.
He will be free to play in round one of next season due to pre-season trial counting towards suspensions.
Hunt was a shining light for the Broncos in 2015 - scoring 12 tries, setting up another 27 as well as 32 linebreak assists - however he endured a horror grand final.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
First his dangerous throw allowed the Cowboys to march downfield and Kyle Feldt to grab a last-ditch try which sent the game into golden point.
From the resumption of play he dropped the kick-off which gifted field position and allowed Johnathan Thurston to snap the winning field goal.
After the game, Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett called for golden point to be abolished and a drawn grand final to be replayed the following week.
Ironically, if that system were in place, Hunt would have sat out the replay, leaving the Broncos with a massive void in the halves.
Broncos teammate Adam Blair also took the early guilty plea on his careless high tackle charge, meaning he will escape suspension.
