Titans captain and New Zealand international Kevin Proctor will serve a four-game suspension for biting fellow Kiwi Shaun Johnson.
But the incident appears far from over, with both players facing further sanctioning for discussing the case publicly prior to the hearing.
Despite support from Johnson, Proctor was found guilty by the judiciary on Tuesday, but he will play again in 2020.
Speaking to the judiciary, Johnson said upon review, his first thoughts that he had been bitten were mistaken.
"My arm was pressuring against his mouth," Johnson said.
"I felt like I got bit and that's why I reacted the way I did at the time.
"As the match went on, I thought it didn't really make sense. At the time it happened it felt like I got bit."
The verdict was handed down in just eight minutes, after two hours' worth of evidence was presented by Proctor's lawyer Tim Fuller and his NRL counterpart.
Proctor's suspension is the first for biting in the NRL since former Bulldogs prop James Graham was handed a 12-game ban following the 2012 Grand Final.
Proctor maintained his innocence throughout the process, blaming well-documented sinus problems that prevent him from breathing through his nose.
"I was struggling for air and opening my mouth was the only way to get it," he said.
"I opened my mouth and he just got tighter with his grip. He doesn't let go of my head the whole time. I'm just trying to gasp for air."
After the hearing, chairman Geoff Bellew addressed both Proctor and Johnson for openly discussing the incident prior to the hearing.
"It is not for players to conduct their defence in the media," Bellew said.
"The players are provided with this forum that we are in at the moment for that purpose."
Proctor is currently without a club for the 2021 season. He's interested in remaining on the Gold Coast, although his upcoming stint on the sideline could prove a significant blow to those hopes.
