The Sydney Roosters' NRLW personnel struggles have taken a turn for the worse with front-rower Pani Hopoate set to miss the finals series through suspension.
Hopoate went to the sin bin in the second half of Saturday's 40-16 win over North Queensland after laying a hip-drop tackle on centre Jasmine Peters.
Peters needed assistance leaving the field following the tackle and played no further part in the match, the Cowboys' last of their inaugural season.
"It's a suspected syndesmosis, so not good," Cowboys coach Ben Jeffries said of Peters' injury.
On Sunday, the match review committee gave Hopoate a grade-three dangerous contact charge which attracts a two-match ban that would rub her out of the Roosters' semi-final match and the grand final if they make it.
The only way Hopoate will play again this season is if she fights the charge at the NRLW judiciary on Tuesday night and wins. If she is unsuccessful, her suspension could stretch to three games.
Hopoate's ban comes as the Roosters prepare to contend without the injured Amber Hall, Tavarna Papalii, Shawden Burton and Aliyah Nasio in the finals series.
The personnel situation became so dire that the Roosters' physiotherapist Millicent Scutt was forced to join the roster as an injury replacement for round nine despite never playing NRLW before.
Key prop forward Millie Boyle (shoulder) and star centre Jess Sergis (finger) are both expected to return for the semi-finals, which begin next weekend.
