The Sunshine Coast Falcons have decided to cancel their Round 16 Intrust Super Cup match against the Townsville Blackhawks in response to James Ackerman's death.
The match will not be replayed due to travel requirements and a busy schedule during the back half of the season, with a decision on the allocation of competition points to be made in due course according to the QRL.
With the cancellation of the Blackhawks-Falcons match, only six games will be played across the Intrust Super Cup this weekend.
Defending premiers Northern Pride host the Ipswich Jets in Cairns with the Jets looking to break a long-term losing streak at Barlow Park.
The Jets haven’t tasted victory at the Pride's home ground since 2009 and will have to do it without Marmin Barba, who will sit out the next two games due to suspension.
Saturday's remaining match sees sixth-placed Mackay Cutters hosting fourth-placed Wynnum Manly with the Seagulls looking to atone for last weekend's one-point loss to Burleigh.
On Sunday, Channel Nine's televised game features Souths Logan Magpies up against the Tweed Heads Seagulls at Davies Park; Redcliffe host Norths at Dolphin Oval; Burleigh travel to Langlands Park to tackle Easts Tigers and the PNG Hunters play host to cellar dwellers CQ Capras.
Ackerman died on Monday after suffering a serious head injury during a tackle made by Norths Devils prop Francis Molo at Brisbane's Bishop Park last Saturday.
The incident happened during the early stages of the Round 15 encounter with the game abandoned and a draw declared as a result.
Molo's tackle was referred straight to the judiciary to be reviewed at a later date.
The 20-year-old, who has played six games for the Broncos after making his debut last year, made a brief appearance at Red Hill during Thursday morning's training session.
Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett says the Broncos will rally around their young forward.
"He needs to be around his teammates," Bennett said.
"It's pretty optional for him in what he wants to do and what he doesn’t. No one is putting demands on him – everyone is being supportive and loving – the best place in times like this is around your friends and your mates.
"It's important that he's around us."
The rugby league community will continue its tributes towards Ackerman this weekend with a minute's silence observed before junior, senior and Intrust Super Cup matches, while many teams will retire their No.8 jerseys.
Social media campaign #TakeAKneeForAckers is set to take off this weekend with teams encouraged to form a tight circle, place one knee on the ground and link arms with teammates to honour the 25-year-old.
Rugby league fans are being asked to give generously to the Ackerman Family Trust Fund – details are available here: Vale James Ackerman.
