Cowboys' Karl Lawton dealt suspension for ugly tackle after bizarre match

North Queensland's Karl Lawton has been dealt a two-game ban after a hip-drop tackle marred the Cowboys' 38-32 win over the Dragons on Friday night.

With just under 30 minutes left in the match, Dragons forward Jaydn Su'A ran into Jeremiah Nanai who went high as Lawton went low, falling on his legs.

Su'A stayed on the ground with a long stoppage and looked in agony. He tried to play on but eventually succumbed to a knee injury and didn't return.

READ MORE: Record-setting Piastri trounces rivals in Belgium

READ MORE: Greene's 'overweight' jibe at rival inspires huge comeback

READ MORE: Demon's cheeky dig at rivals after US Open doubles miss

Lawton received a two-match ban from the match review committee on Saturday morning.

The bench hooker will have to serve three games if he challenges the charge at the judiciary and loses.

In a frankly bizarre match, the Cowboys showed their defensive fragilities again at home.

The score at half-time was 28-12 in their favour and it looked like a big score could be on.

However, the Dragons came out strong and when Jacob Liddle scored in the 65th minute it was 28-24.

Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

The man who has saved North Queensland time and again this season has been Tom Dearden and he stood up once more, scoring next. It was his second of the night.

Jaxon Purdue made it 38-26 before Liddle scored again in the 77th minute to make it interesting.

The Cowboys survived to win and give coach Todd Payten the slightest bit of relief.

"A bizarre 80 minutes in Townsville," caller Warren Smith summed it up on Fox League.