Cowboys Holmes faces three weeks out for high shot

Holmes will miss three games with an early guilty plea - that would enable him to return with two regular-season matches remaining - or four if he challenges it unsuccessfully.

Crucially, it was the second time in as many weeks he had been binned for such an offence, after being banished for 10 minutes for a high shot on Parramatta's Mitchell Moses and receiving a fine.

"I disagreed with his send-off last week but it is hard to disagree with tonight's call," Cowboys coach Todd Payten said after the game.

The Titans' win broke a four-game losing streak for the hosts and ended a six-match winning sequence for North Queensland.

Sitting eighth on 26 competition points, the Cowboys missed a golden chance to go fifth.

Brisbane forward Corey Jensen, a former North Queensland player, said Payten would have his side primed to cope with Holmes' absence, should he be suspended.

He said he expected a "next man up" mentality at the Cowboys to ensure Holmes' replacement would do the job.

"He is a quality and an Origin player. He is a big out for them, but I know what their club is like and what Toddy is like," Jensen said.

"I have no doubt that if he is not there, then the next person who comes in and plays will do the job for them."

With five rounds remaining, two competition points separate sixth-placed South Sydney, on 26 points, and Parramatta in 11th on 24.

St George Illawarra's Jack de Belin will contest his grade two dangerous contact charge in an effort to have it downgraded from a three-match ban to a $3000 fine.

However, an unsuccessful night at Tuesday's judiciary would cause his suspension to be increased to four matches.

Penrith centre Tyrone Peachey on Monday accepted a two-match ban for a careless high tackle on Cronulla forward Jack Williams.

Canterbury pair Jake Averillo and Reed Mahoney escaped with fines for dangerous contact and shoulder charge citings respectively.