Scottish World Cup representative Jarred Anderson won't be available again this season unless Kurri Kurri make the Newcastle Rugby League grand final via the longest possible route after the Bulldogs player copped a second straight suspension.
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The 21-year-old, who celebrates his birthday 24 hours before Kurri visit Central in Sunday's last round, will miss the Bulldogs' next four matches after entering an early guilty plea for a grade two dangerous throw.
Anderson was five minutes into his return game against Souths at Kurri on Saturday when the incident occurred, having already been banned for the same amount of time for a similar spear tackle early last month.
The Bulldogs sit equal fourth on the competition ladder and can finish anywhere from third to sixth depending on results.
Jarrom Haines is now expected to replace Anderson in the centres for Kurri with Mitch Cullen (knee), pending a fitness test, shifting to five-eighth.
"He [Anderson] is irreplaceable, however, we're confident and have the belief in our playing group to be able to cover the position," Bulldogs coach Ron Griffiths said.
Griffiths said uncertainty surrounding the role of club coach for next year was "no distraction at all" for the Kurri squad.
Meanwhile, Maitland are now on the look out for a new coach in 2020 with Luke Dorn and the Pickers opting to part ways after this current campaign.
The Pickers have this week advertised for all coaching positions next season with applications open until the end of this month.
Back to the judiciary and Macquarie's Aleksandra Hall won't line-up against ladder leaders Western Suburbs at Harker Oval on Sunday having been suspended for one game after entering an early guilty plea for grade two dangerous contact.
