Banned: Carrigan out of Broncos' prelim final

Pat Carrigan has taken the early guilty plea with the NRL judiciary and will not feature in the club's preliminary final next weekend.

The Brisbane captain was hit with a one-week suspension for a high shot on Morgan Smithies in Sunday’s incredible 95th minute win over Canberra.

The Broncos will host either the Panthers or the Bulldogs Sunday week for a spot in the Grand Final.

Fighting the ban could have resulted in Carrigan's suspension being doubled - not worth the risk should the club reach the big dance.

Meanwhile, the Broncos suffered another massive finals injury blow with Billy Walters' season over after he sustained damage to his ACL.

Walters is believed to have suffered the injury during his side's incredible 95th minute victory over the Raiders on Sunday afternoon which secured them a Grand Final qualifier berth

A statement from the clubs said: "Walters will work with the Club’s medical team to assess the next steps in his recovery.

"Meanwhile, Payne Haas has been cleared of any serious injury and Brendan Piakura will have scans on a facial injury on Tuesday morning."

In some good news for the Brisbane outfit, Adam Reynolds is set to be cleared to make his return in the preliminary final while Xavier Willison and Ezra Mam are also expected to be passed fit.