North Launceston's TSL development league side and NTFA premier division challengers Hillwood will both be weakened in crucial finals matches after seeing players suspended for head-high hits.

But while Bombers big man Jake Smith was able to talk his way down to a one-match suspension, Sharks 100-gamer Shannon Buller has been outed for 2019 after receiving a three-week ban.

RELATED: Star Swan out for year

NTFA grand final venue locked in

Saints march into finals

Cited for a high elbow on Bridgenorth's Nathan Van Noord in last weekend's qualifying final, Buller pleaded not guilty but was found otherwise by the NTFA tribunal.

The incident occurred during the second quarter of the match at Longford, and saw Van Noord sit out the second half with concussion.

It is unclear whether the defender will return for the Parrots' semi-final clash with Longford on Saturday.

The NTFA declined to comment on the incident.

Smith was reported for a series of four head-high strikes during North's round 21 trip to Glenorchy.

Offered a penalty of two matches and two low-level reprimands, the young Northern Bomber pleaded guilty to the last two strikes, but not guilty to the first two.

As part of the plea, North Launceston provided a submission detailing mitigating circumstances surrounding the incident. The tribunal accepted the submission as 'fair', and issued a one-match ban for one of the strikes while deeming the other of insufficient force to warrant a charge.

The ban will see Smith miss this weekend's qualifying final - also against the Pies - but return for the Bombers' semi-final the following week.

ELSEWHERE IN SPORT