Maitland Blacks star forwards Travis Brooke and Michael Howell have both been ruled out of Sunday's elimination final against Merewether Carlton.
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Both players are suffering from delayed concussion after receiving head knocks in last Saturday's spiteful loss to Wanderers.
"Travis is out, Howelly is out. Delayed concussion for both of them," Blacks coach Matt Thomas said
"I've ruled them both out. It's a duty of care on our behalf.
"Travis has had dizzy spells and vomiting, Michael has had similar symptoms.
"Our blokes got an absolute beating on the weekend and it wasn't legal. We play a contact sport, we know that, but I've never seen my players at any level come off like our blokes did on the weekend.
"To their credit they were fantastic in staying disciplined, despite what happened to them.
"Unfortunately, we play within the rules but not all teams do."
It's a big weekend for the Blacks and they had hope to have all their troops on board with first, second and third grade in action on Sunday in minor semi-finals and the women's team playing on Saturday.
"It's an exciting time for the club and unfortunately we are having to deal with stuff like this," Thomas said.
"We'll rally together and hopefully we can get all our teams through this week."
The Blacks are also monitoring Marcus Christensen's recovery. While he has not reported any dizziness or headaches, both his eyes are black with one almost closed.
James Johnston and Hugues de Rocquigny have been named as replacements with de Rocquigny to play in the second-row and Johnston to play No.8.
"We are very fortunate in having two excellent players in James and Hugues to come into the line-up," Thomas said.
"All year we have been playing as a squad and this is what it all comes down to. Big moments in big games and on Sunday we've got a massive moment in a massive game and this is what we are looking forward to.
"Our backs are firmly against the wall, we haven't beaten Merewether this year and we've got two of our main players out.
"We've been doing this all year, Travis has been out injured, Michael has been out injured. We've just got to perform.
"We want to get through this weekend. It doesn't matter how ugly or pretty the scoreline is, the only thing that matters is that we're in front."
Thomas has highlighted a number of incidents from Saturday's game against Wanderers.
"We've had seven yellow cards in a whole season and suddenly three in one game. What's going on?" Thomas said.
"Chris Martin, it was a penalty not a yellow card. Maxy (Stafford) was a bit stupid in mouthing off, probably yellow card.
"As for Marcus (Christensen) I still can't work it out, and I've watched the video several times, why he was sent off. The penalty should have come to us not against us and definitely not a yellow card.
"I have asked the referees for please explains on about 15 to 20 scenarios in the game and why certain things are called and not called. I'm just waiting back on a response for that."