'Feel sorry for him': Paul Gallen launches defence of Pat Carrigan as Broncos accept preliminary final ban

Paul Gallen has gone into bat for Broncos forward Patrick Carrigan, as the Origin star on Tuesday accepted a ban that will rule him out of an NRL preliminary final.

Carrigan was slapped with a grade two careless high tackle charge for his shot on Morgan Smithies in his side's dramatic 29-28 win over the Raiders on Sunday.

Brisbane could have fought to have it downgraded, which could have freed Carrigan but carried the risk of the suspension being upped to two games.

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He's chosen to accept the one-game ban and will hope the Broncos can win next week's preliminary and qualify for the grand final, which he will be available to play.

It wasn't all bad news for the Broncos when the match review committee charges dropped however, with fullback Reece Walsh free to play despite being fined for a headbutt and for flipping the bird to Canberra fans.

The 23-year-old will be available for the grand final qualifier and while most within the game are on board with the decision, Gallen revealed what left him scratching his head in regards to Walsh's fine compared to Carrigan's suspension.

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"I'll tell you what annoys me about it - Reece Walsh's actions were totally intentional, I don't think he should have been suspended, but he led with his head," he said on 100% Footy on Monday.

"What annoys me about it is that you've got Pat Carrigan, who comes out of the line to try and change the momentum for his side … he hits him high, it looks like a head clash and they show the replay and he's been sent for 10 minutes.

"Now he's gonna get suspended for what is a total accident. That's where I get a little bit frustrated, because Reece Walsh's actions were totally intentional, he meant to do that. Pat Carrigan didn't mean to do that and he's gonna get suspended.

"It's the same with hip-drops, they are totally accidental and players get suspended.

"I feel sorry for Pat Carrigan and I feel we suspend our players too quickly." 

Allegations were aired on Monday that some Raiders fans had referenced Walsh's young daughter as he walked off the field, although those claims have not been substantiated or confirmed by either club.

Canberra's Zac Hosking was also fined for contacting Walsh's leg on the final play of regular time, which allowed the Broncos to go into extra time with a penalty goal.

Ben Hunt ended up kicking the match-winning field goal in the 94th minute after plenty of back-and-forth between the two premiership heavyweights.