Melbourne Storm legend Billy Slater has questioned why there was only one sin-bin in the NRL grand final, with many believing Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam got off very lightly. Trent Loiero was given 10 in the bin in the dying stages of Sunday night’s grand final – won 26-22 by the Broncos.
The Storm forward raced out of the line and made high contact, giving the officials little choice but to send him to the bin. But the NRL world exploded with anger that Walsh and Mam got away with similar actions.
Billy Slater and many others questioned why Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam weren’t sin-binned as well. Image: Getty/AAP
Walsh hit Xavier Coates in the head with a shoulder charge in the first half, but was only placed on report. It appeared to be forceful, high contact – which has been the indictor for the past few seasons for a sin-bin offence.
In the second half, Mam hit Stefano Utoikamanu with a swinging arm and shoulder to the back of the head, but once again he escaped being sin-binned. And moments later, Brendan Piakura hit Ryan Papenhuyzen with a shocking late tackle when the Storm fullback wasn’t looking.
Trent Loiero was the only player sin-binned, despite Reece Walsh hitting Xavier Coates in the head with a shoulder charge. Image: Channel 9
Billy Slater questions NRL grand final sin-bin farce
All three indiscretions from the Broncos have resulted in sin-bins at different times this year, but all three were allowed to stay on the field. Speaking in commentary for Channel 9 after Loiero was binned, Slater didn’t disagree with the decision.
But he questioned why Loiero was treated differently to the Broncos players. “There’s been about three sin-bins today if we’re going to be honest,” Slater said. “We had Reece Walsh in the first half and Brendan Piakura hitting Papenhuyzen late.”
Some also questioned whether Reece Walsh took out Ryan Papenhuyzen in the air. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
At the time of the Walsh incident, Andrew Johns said: “Oh, that’s a real high shot from Reece Walsh. We’ve seen all year that this is a sin bin.” However Johns back-tracked when he realised Coates was falling.
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Walsh, Mam, Piakura and Loiero were all put on report for their respective actions, and face a nervous wait to see what the match review committee decides on Monday morning. All would seemingly face a ban if their actions are deemed any more than a grade-one offence.
It’s particularly relevant to Walsh, as any ban would seemingly delay his debut for Australia in the upcoming Ashes series. Walsh will be picked in Kevin Walters’ Kangaroos squad on Monday, and is reportedly set to start in the No.1 jersey over Dylan Edwards in the first Test. But any ban would ruin those plans and delay his ascension to the Kangaroos.
NRL fans left fuming over Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam escape
On Sunday night, fans were furious that Walsh and Mam escaped being sin-binned. Rugby reporter Christy Doran wrote on social media: “Reece Walsh on report for a no arms shoulder directly to the head of Xavier Coates. Pathetic, soft and negligent officiating.”
One fan wrote: “Reece Walsh deadset shoulder to Coates face? On report only. Ezra Mam shoulder to the back of the head? On report only. Trent Loiero shoulder to face… 10 min sin bin.”
Another wrote: “Absolute joke both Mam and Walsh stay on.” While a third added: “This finals series Reece Walsh has head-butted someone and shoulder charged someone in the head and his combined punishment for both was 1 sin bin. Different rules for some.”