The NRLreminded coaches last week they would not tolerate any “unnecessary abuse and aggression”, and wrote in an email: “In recent weeks, there have been incidents after an error by as player in possession, an opposition player uses the error as an opportunity to either get in the face of, or stand over the player who made the error in an abusive and aggressive manner, causing a scuffle that other players then join.
“These are incidents the game can do without, and referees have been instructed to act accordingly.”
Reece Walsh gives the finger to the GIO Stadium crowd after being sin-binned.Credit: Nine
As the Raiders try to lift again for the Sharks, the Broncos were relieved Walsh avoided a ban. They will also welcome back skipper Adam Reynolds and possibly Ezra Mam for Sunday week’s preliminary final.
But under-rated utility Billy Walters suffered an ACL injury on Sunday, and Pat Carrigan faces a one-game ban for a high tackle on Morgan Smithies.
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Smithies himself was charged with the same grade 1 striking charge for a headbutt on Wests Tigers forward Fonua Pole earlier this year, which left the Raiders forward bleeding from the top of his head.
Smithies was trying to free himself from a three-man tackle in that incident, whereas the Walsh and Young fracas came after a dropped ball by the Brisbane star.
As for Carrigan’s hit on Smithies, Broncos coach Michael Maguire said he thought it was a head clash. Carrigan was sin-binned by referee Ashley Klein.