Advertisement

'That's a dog shot': Footy fans erupt over star's 'disgraceful' act

A screenshot shows the moment Wests Tigers star Joey Leilua hits Penrith's Dylan Edwards.
Wests Tigers player Joey Leilua collects Penrith's Dylan Edwards with a forearm to the head, an act that is likely to see him suspended for several weeks by the NRL. Picture: Fox Sport

Wests Tigers centre Joey Leilua faces a nervous wait to see if he faces a lengthy ban for an off-the-ball high shot on Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards.

Leilua finished Saturday night's 19-12 loss to the Panthers off the field and in the sin-bin, as his frustrations boiled over late in the match.

SCENES: 'Game of the century' sends social media into meltdown

WHY NOW: Sinister theory emerges over naked video leak

He was one of four players placed on report from the fiery contest, but will likely face the harshest punishment.

After his brother Luciano was taken from the field following a high shot in the 60th minute, Leilua was at the centre of several flashpoints in the last 20 minutes of the game.

He gave away a penalty in the lead up to Nathan Cleary's match-defining field goal, before the shot on Edwards who didn't even go close to the ball as it was kicked through.

If Leilua is charged, he won't be helped by weighting given he was suspended for two matches at the end of last year for a non-similar offence of dropping the knees.

“He was emotional, gave away penalties. We just can't do that,” coach Michael Maguire said.

Fans and particularly league commentators were absolutely furious with Leilua, labelling his hit on Edwards ‘a dog shot’ and suggesting there was no place for him in the NRL.

ABC Grandstand commentator and former player Luke Lewis said Leilua deserved to sit out for 16 weeks, while co-commentator Andrew Moore said it was a disgrace the referee sin-binned Leilua instead of sending him off.

“A sin bin? That’s weak as water,” Moore said.

“That doesn’t mean anything with two minutes to go. The send off rule doesn’t exist in rugby league anymore.

“Get rid of it from the rule book, because the referees are too gutless to send anyone off.”

Fellow ABC caller Michael Carayannis labelled it ‘a dog shot’.

Joey Leilua heavily criticised by NRL pundits

There were plenty of people lining up to criticise Leilua over his hit on Edwards, with Fox Sports commentator Braith Anasta calling the move ‘just crap’, while Channel 9’s Matthew Thompson said it was moments like this that would epitomise Leilua’s career.

“Joey Leilua. How predictable. Gifted talent but a liability to any team with that nonsense,” Thompson posted on Twitter.

Fans were also less than impressed with Leilua, with many taking to Twitter after the game to register their displeasure.

The Tigers are set to take on South Sydney next Friday night.

With AAP