Newcastle Rugby League general manager Adam Devcich has called on player behaviour to match the standard of competition in the wake of an ugly last-round incident.
Cessnock trio Sam Apthorpe, TJ McLean and Nicholas Tuliatu were all charged with contrary conduct this week.
Apthorpe, one of several Goannas poised to hang up the boots this season, was later handed a three-game suspension for essentially instigating the late melee and attempting multiple punches.
"Denton Cup is classed as a major competition and player behaviour should match the quality of the competition. That did not," Devcich told the Newcastle Herald.
Apthorpe's punishment will only apply if the outgoing local junior opts to take the field again in 2027 or beyond, with last year's NEWRL grand finalists already out of title contention after finishing ninth on the competition ladder.
The prop entered an early guilty plea, electing not to challenge the grade three charge. It was listed as his second offence.
BarTV Sports replays show the No.8 running 10 or so metres before launching himself into the final-try celebrations of visiting opponents Central Newcastle, who were gathered inside the in-goal area during the dying moments of a 46-24 result.
Apthorpe unleashes at least one blow amid seemingly unsuspecting victims before making his way around the packed circle and trying again.
Rival teams were eventually split apart.
The referee placed the entire incident on report after sending Apthorpe, hooker McLean and substitute Tuliatu to the sin bin.
Full-time was called immediately after Central's ensuing conversion, which doubled as playmaker Chad O'Donnell's 22nd individual point of the afternoon.
Butcher Boys marquee Matt Koellner also got marching orders for 10 minutes, but was ultimately left alone by the match review committee.
McLean, a mid-season signing at Cessnock who recently extended his deal until the end of 2028, avoided suspension for his part in proceedings after successfully having his charge downgraded at the NEWRL judiciary on Wednesday night.
Tuliatu, likewise, escaped with a warning after entering an early guilty plea.
Apthorpe, Reed Hugo and Joe Woodbury were among those home players farewelled at Cessnock Sportsground on August 8.
Elsewhere on finals eve, two players set to line up against one another will now be sidelined for Sunday's elimination semi.
Kurri Kurri's Zac Montgomery (contrary conduct) and Noah Reed from The Entrance (dangerous throw) both accepted early guilty pleas out of NEWRL's last round.
This, coupled with being second offences for those individuals, resulted in one-match suspensions and massive blows for their respective forward packs approaching the first week of play-offs.
The Bulldogs and the Tigers, who each confirmed positions inside the top five following outcomes last weekend, are scheduled to meet at EDSACC Oval on August 16.
Only one, either Montgomery or Reed, will get the opportunity to return for a minor semi the following weekend (August 23).
Souths and Central clash at Townson Oval in Saturday's qualifying semi while minor premiers the Pickers have this weekend off before hosting a major semi at Maitland Sportsground on August 22.
