The Broncos will need to win through to the NRL final without lock Pat Carrigan

He's been suspended for one game for the high shot on Raiders forward Morgan Smithies that saw him sin-binned during the qualifying final win over Canberra.

The club have opted not to challenge the charge at the judiciary and risk a two-game ban by mounting a defence.

Carrigan will miss Sunday-week's preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium against either the Bulldogs or Penrith but will be available for the grand final if the Broncos make it through.

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