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'Absolutely sickening': Outrage after NRL player's brutal knock

Rugby League fans were shocked after an obviously concussed Lachlan Lewis was allowed to stay on the field for Canterbury after a brutal head knock against South Sydney. Pictures: Getty Images/Fox League
Rugby League fans were shocked after an obviously concussed Lachlan Lewis was allowed to stay on the field for Canterbury after a brutal head knock against South Sydney. Pictures: Getty Images/Fox League

Rugby league fans have taken to social media in uproar after Canterbury left a clearly concussed Lachlan Lewis on the field following a brutal collision with Josh Mansour.

Live commentators were also left confused and concerned by Lewis' continued presence on the field, with South Sydney rivals having to hold the Bulldogs five-eighth up in what was an alarming turn of events.

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Inexplicably, the Bulldogs trainer allowed Lewis to play the next set, despite having been caught from falling over by his opponents moments earlier.

“No. No, no, no, no,” stunned commentator Dan Ginnane said as Lewis lined up for the next set.

“This can’t be right.

“You can’t have a situation where everyone in the crowd, everyone watching at home can see what’s going to happen and yet he’s out there for another set.”

Co-host Braith Anasta was equally perplexed, adding: “That’s a surprise. I can’t see that lasting long.”

There was a substantial outcry on social media about the incident, with leading NRL journalist Buzz Rothfield leading a chorus of fans concerned over Lewis' welfare.

Lewis suffered the horrific knock early on in the first half, with the Bulldogs confirming soon after that the 24-year-old had failed his head injury assessment.

It was an inauspicious start to an ugly afternoon for the Bulldogs, who were thrashed 38-0 by the Rabbitohs.

Rabbitohs star under fire for late shot

Despite the lopsided scoreline, it was still a somewhat heated afternoon which could see Rabbitohs five-eighth Cody Walker spending some time on the sidelines.

The Rabbitohs star seemed to be fired up for much of the game, and his late second effort in a tackle on Bulldogs opponent Nick Meaney took things a little too far.

Walker hit Meaney in the head with his elbow as he came in, leading Fox League commentator Michael Ennis to suggest the Souths star could be in some trouble, labelling the move 'really unneccesary'.

Cody Walker had an excellent game against the Bulldogs, but could be in trouble over a high shot on Nick Meaney. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Cody Walker had an excellent game against the Bulldogs, but could be in trouble over a high shot on Nick Meaney. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Canberra Raiders legend Mal Meninga said there was no doubt it would attract the attention of the NRL judiciary.

“You could see that was deliberate," Meninga said.

“We talk about Felise Kaufusi and his two weeks suspended for a deliberate elbow to the back of the head, I think he’s in some serious trouble.”

There was outcry about the shot on social media, particularly with Walker involved in several other heated incidents throughout the game.

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