Connelly was suspended for two matches having been found guilty of a grade one high tackle in the Pickers' 34-26 win against Lakes at Maitland on Saturday.

PHOTOS: Dramatic last round determines Newcastle RL finals contenders

Carryover points from a similar incident in round 10 meant he would have been sidelined for the do-or-die encounter if Maitland didn't contest the initial punishment.

Connelly lined up at centre for the Pickers in the last round but has also been at fullback and five-eighth.

Kurri's Jayden Young opted not to front the Newcastle RL panel, entering an early guilty plea this week and receiving a three-game ban.

Young was charged twice by the match review committee, once for kicking and the other for contrary conduct.

The Bulldogs bench player was sent off for the incidents just before full-time in Sunday's 13-12 loss to Central at St John Oval. His action sparked a melee between the two sides.

Kurri slipped to sixth on the competition ladder and narrowly missed the finals.

Young will join Bulldogs teammate Jarred Anderson, who still has three fixtures to serve for a grade two dangerous throw, on the sidelines for the early rounds of 2020.

Meanwhile, Western Suburbs utility Ryan Walsh is free to play in next weekend's major semi at Harker Oval after taking an early guilty plea for a dangerous throw charge.

Walsh escaped suspension after the grade one incident was put on report in the 32^nd minute of Sunday's 38-18 win at home against Macquarie.