The State of Origin decider is in danger of turning into a cheap shot free-for-all, with tensions simmering on both sides of the border over attacks rival camps feel went unpunished by the match review committee.
While the heat continued to be applied to the NRL over the fighting clamp-down which led to four players being sin-binned in game two, the two incidents which provided the catalyst for the brawl have both camps fuming.
The Blues are livid over Billy Slater’s elbow which split the cheek of halfback Mitchell Pearce, while the Maroons claim the precedent has been set after Trent Merrin copped just a one-week ban for his flurry of punches to the head of Brent Tate.
Slater’s elbow was deemed accidental by the match review committee, while Merrin will miss St George Illawarra’s game against Penrith on Saturday after pleading guilty to a striking charge.
With Origin III set to be one of the most hyped rugby league clashes of all time as the Blues look to end the series’ greatest dynasty on home soil, officials are now bracing for a night of spite on the game’s biggest stage.
The Blues claimed Slater committed his action as an act of retribution, with suggestions he was shouting out 1-all after hitting Pearce.
“We were surprised but if that’s what it is now, then that’s what it is,” coach Laurie Daley told reporters.
“We thought that would have been an offence but obviously it’s not.
“Obviously the match review panel thought it was accidental. If it was accidental I don’t know why you’d be jumping up and going ‘1-all.”
Added Pearce: “That’s just how it is. If we do the same thing in game three it’s play on.”
Asked about the prospect of a free-for-all at ANZ Stadium on July 17, Pearce said: “I don’t think it will – probably the first guy that does that will get binned.
“That’s just how it is now. It’s a shemozzle.
“It’s just got to have some consistency
“I thought the send-offs after the fight were an overreaction, it was always coming.”
The Maroons were just as upset at what they thought was an unprovoked attack by Merrin on Tate.
Tate pushed Paul Gallen to the turf in the play the ball, Merrin reacting before a number of players joined in, with Greg Bird and Justin Hodges being sin-binned along with Merrin and Tate.
It was the first implementation of the NRL’s new edict that any punch will result in players being binned.
But Merrin could be in line for some more punishment next time out against the Maroons.
“I think Merrin got a week for a king hit so that sets a precedent doesn’t it,” Maroons star Johnathan Thurston said.
“Tatey was looking down and copped a couple on the chin.
“The judiciary’s dealt with it but I think he deserved more than a week, yes.
“For a king hit, you’re only going to get a week now.
“I thought the judiciary could have come down harder on it.”
Rube
Guest
Hopefully Slater becomes the first in field death in the NRL. Dog needs his head cut off!
Can't Talk, Eating...
Guest
"Deafacate". "Imbociles". That is awesome. Some punctuation would be nice also.
Can't Talk, Eating...
Guest
Yep, like getting hit with a with a wet lettuce, it seems...
Blaze
Guest
And queenslanders don't think they ask to be punched?... Lol
Blaze
Guest
Tate didn't throw any back? Did you miss the upper cut after he was surrounded?
Symbolsoup
Roar Rookie
Absolutely agree, if the refs did their job we would all have nothing to talk about except the actual footy game proper. Wouldn't that be nice...
Symbolsoup
Roar Rookie
I agree Bazzio, 10 in a row baby! ;)
Bulldog blue
Guest
How good is hodges throws a few an when the troops arrive heads to the deck in foetal position
Blaze
Guest
Krudd OUR leader? Huh? Since when was Gillard New South Welshman? She follows AFL for gods sake,
Bulldog blue
Guest
Has anyone ever seen thaiday on side
Bulldog blue
Guest
Do you believe what your saying there was Merrin n Tate then hodges from the side then Billy's elbow Merrin n gal get 3weeks combined n whoever billy n hodges are smoking overlooked it dont be one eyed man n can you tell me has billy got unlimited carryover points cause if I coached a kid to do what he gets away with he would be rubbed out of the game it comes back to if refs are in control this don't happen CONSISTENCY
Bulldog blue
Guest
Should line gallen n myles up for a charity fight winner picks foundation to b recipient of funds
Bulldog blue
Guest
Wq it's not about watching rugby league it's about knowing the rules the ball player or dummy half along with markers are not meant to make contact after tackle is completed this comes down to refereeing being inconsistent if you don't like repercussions play to the rules billy slater for instance he wasn't fighting the tackle it was a blatant elbow but qlders keep trying to smokescreen with gallen how many weeks have blokes sat out of the game for the same infringements slater keeps getting away with I think he is the best fullback in world but rules r rules
Bluey
Guest
one wk
Bluey
Guest
LOL.... exactly!!!
Renegade
Guest
I've also seen Greg Inglis do it as well.
WQ
Guest
x2 Hoy
Bulldog blue
Guest
Does he deafacate in qld hotel rooms you imbociles don't know the meaning of grub all in front of an innocent family don't make the guy out to b a hero
WQ
Guest
Thank you Blah Blah Blah, your comments have been very helpful re the debate about Paul Gallen and his inability to control his aggression. Seems that maybe you have similar issues i.e. can't offer an intelligent alternate point of view, so you go down the road of a personal attack. Players shove each other after the play of the ball regularly in both the NRL, State of Origin and Test matches. The difference in 90% of these instances is the players don't punch each other, perhaps if you hadn't noticed this you might want to watch a little more Rugby League! Contact sports generally have two types of players participating: 1- those that can handle their aggression and channel it towards producing a positive outcome 2 - those that are just like Paul Gallen!
Bulldog blue
Guest
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