'Ridiculous': NRL fans question controversial sin-bin incident
NRL fans have let rip at a decision to send Dragons forward Jaydn Su'a to the sin bin on an incident coach Anthony Griffin labelled "confusing".
Reigning champions Penrith held off a fast-finishing Dragons outfit 20-16 after Viliame Kikau helped himself to two first-half tries at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
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The Dragons managed to keep Penrith scoreless for 40 minutes, which is no mean feat.
And some fans were left fuming over Su'a's binning, which ultimately cost the Dragons' late surge.
Fox Sports commentator Warren Smith said the late hit on Sean O'Sullivan and the force of the impact cost Su'a the 10 minutes in the sin bin.
But, Brisbane Broncos legend Gordon Tallis disagreed with the decision.
“He was milking it absolutely,” Tallis said, post-match.
“I think the referee would like to have this decision over again. It was a split second. He doesn’t hit him high. He hits him in the shoulder. He makes a play at the playmaker.
“He comes deep into the line so he is taking it right to the line and he hits him.
Many fans agreed.
The penalty was a joke and then the bunker had to chime in with there joke
— David Deighton (@daveandkarla2) March 18, 2022
Ridiculous decision massive overreaction and totally changed the game
— Anson smith (@Ansonsmith6) March 18, 2022
That Jayden Su's shot isn't a penalty let alone a sin bin. If Sean O'Sullivan doesn't stay down it's not an issue #NRL
— Mike Scolz (@skulzy87) March 18, 2022
Dragons coach Anthony Griffin questions HIA protocol
Interestingly, Dragons coach Griffin didn't have an issue with the sin bin.
However, he did call out the protocol of allowing O'Sullivan to return to the field.
Griffin said the 23-year-old halfback was "obviously concussed" after Su'a's hit.
But, O'Sullivan passed all examinations and returned to the field.
“I’m still confused,” Griffin said in the post-match press conference.
Did Jaydn Su'A deserved to be sin-binned for his hit on Sean O'Sullivan? 💬
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“Young O’Sullivan laid on the ground for a minute, I thought that was a straight Category A.
“That was my understanding. And that he wouldn’t return.
“I thought that’s what we were there to protect.
“That’s just me with the rule. So I’ve got to find out. But if someone is obviously that concussed, I’ve got to find out why that happens.”
Despite Griffin's confusion over the new NRL protocol with concussion, he was proud of his team's effort.
"But I was proud of their effort even though we've got a bit to fix up," he added.
"To beat them 10-0 in the second half after everything we'd gone through was a massive positive for us."
with AAP
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