NRL fans are questioning whether the rule needs to be changed around head-high tackles with Cooper Cronk suggesting it’s brutal Stephen Crichton remains on the field after his collision ruled Talyan May out for the game. The Tigers proved they were up for the fight against the Bulldogs in the wet weather drenching CommBank as they ran out 28-14 winners.
Although the game was embroiled in controversy when Bulldogs captain Crichton collected a falling May with his shoulder on the way down. Alex Seyfarth was currently in the sin bin for the Tigers after making high-contact with little effort to stop the shoulder to the head.
Cooper Cronk (pictuered right) suggested the NRL needs to sort out the rule surrounding high-tackle contact and category one after Stephen Crichton remained on the field after his collision ruled Talyan May out for the game. (Images: Getty Images)
Unfortunately, May was deemed a category one HIA and the centre is now facing 11 days out from the game. Plenty of Tigers fans, including coach Benji Marshall, expected Crichton to also get 10 in the bin for the ugly tackle that left May dazed.
Although the Bunker deemed there were mitigating circumstances in Crichton’s contact to the head with May slipping in the wet. And Crichton was put on report for the incident and the Tigers were handed a penalty.
But commentator and NRL great Cronk felt the rule needs to be re-worked. Crichton remains on the field and gets to play the final 15 minutes of the game, while May is ruled out and the Tigers at a disadvantage. Commentator Warren Smith said the ruling is one of the ‘anomalies’ of the game.
While Storm and Queensland great Cronk suggested in commentary something needs to be done about the rule. “I agree with that. The game needs to sort that out. Taylan May gone from the field, but Stephen Crichton stays on,” Cronk said.
Stephen Crichton (pictured left) caused controversy after a dangerous high tackle on Taylan May, but remained on the field.
And fans agreed. While many felt there are inconsistencies over when mitigating circumstances come into the equation, others felt the rule doesn’t favour the team being penalised. There were suggestions if the player is off for a category one, than the offending player should also be off the field.
The Tigers have the bye next week, which is fortunate because he won’t miss a round of action. Although it didn’t help them in the moment with only a penalty rewarded to them, while they had Seyfarth in the bin.
How the hell does Seyfarth get 10 in the bin and Crichton doesn’t??? 😤🤯🤯
— Keith Galloway (@kgalloway85) August 3, 2025
So how isn’t Crichton binned for that hit? I know it’s wet and he’s slipped but it’s direct and forceful to the head, has to be a binning surely#NRLTigersBulldogs
— Harry Eaton (@HgEaton) August 3, 2025
Critta shoulder charge to the head on May. May cat 1. Critta not binned. Seems unfair. Several Dogs knock ons and offsides missed too. Rub of the green definitely going to Dogs
— The Alaskan (@cockroachBLUE) August 3, 2025
I’m sorry, Crichton should not get to stay on the field if that’s a Cat 1. Mitigation or not, direct shoulder force into the head with his feet planted and shoulder cocked. NRL needs to fix this. #nrl #nrltigersbulldogs
— Brad A (@bradlz2912) August 3, 2025
Benji Marshall questions Stephen Crichton ruling
Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall also questioned the decision to allow Crichton to remain on the field. Marshall tried to remain calm when talking about the situation, but sideline reports suggested he was animated when Crichton made the tackle. And he couldn’t fathom how Seyfarth was sent to the bin and Crichton was not.
“I really don’t want to get in trouble to be honest,” Marshall said. “I just can’t understand why one is one thing and why another one’s another thing and now we lose Taylan for 11 days. Lucky we have got the bye. We can’t use our 18th man unless he gets sin-binned.”
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Marshall was questioned over whether there are inconsistencies in how some of the rules are enforced. “You’re saying the issue is sometimes you see players sin-binned for one thing and then not for another?” the reporter said in the press conference.
“I’ll use your words,” Marshall replied. The game was also billed as the reunion between Jarome Luai and Lachlan Galvin. The Tigers playmaker was seen standing over Galvin after a tackle and celebrating when he won a penalty.
And while Luai got the win over his former teammate the two ended all claims there is tension between the pair having embraced each other after the game. “That’s footy bro, I’m a competitor,” Luai said. “It doesn’t really matter who’s on the other side. It’s brothers and opposition, that’s how I see it.”
West Tiger’s coach Benji Marshall (pictured) was frustrated Alex Seyfarth was sent to the sin bin, but Stephen Crichton was not.