The Macleay Valley Mustangs' minor premiership hopes have been dealt a blow as key player Owen Blair has been suspended for four matches.
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The fullback was sent from the field in the opening minute of the Mustangs' 38-34 victory over the Taree City Bulls for a spear tackle.
The incident was referred to the Group Three Rugby League judiciary and the referee deemed the tackle deserved a high grading.
Group Three Rugby League chief executive Mal Drury told the Argus the tackle had a weighting of 500 points and Blair faced up to six weeks on the sidelines if he challenged the decision.
However, Blair entered an early guilty plea and as a result the punishment was reduced to four competition games.
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Blair will sit out games against the Old Bar Pirates, Port Macquarie Sharks, Forster-Tuncurry Hawks and Wingham Tigers.
The final game could prove the most costly, as the Mustangs have only suffered one loss at the halfway point of the season and it came against the Tigers.
The Mustangs currently sit in equal first position with the Wauchope Blues and are one win ahead of the Tigers.
Blair will make his return with three games remaining in the regular season.
Blair rejoined the Mustangs at the start of the season after spending four years with the Port City Breakers.
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