Latrell Mitchell was perhaps lucky to stay on the park after giving away an eight-point try on the stroke of half time in the Rabbitohs clash with the Tigers on the Central Coast.
Having raced out to a 12-0 lead in the opening eight minutes, the Tigers got themselves back in the match with two tries of their own in the last three minutes of the half.
In the second, Heamasi Makasini scored after Moala Graham-Taufa spilled an Adam Doueihi bomb.
LIVE UPDATES: Matildas v Japan, Women’s Asian Cup final
READ MORE: ‘Tackled too hard’: Kaufusi bemused by bizarre penalty
READ MORE: Import’s debut over in minutes after brutal collision
Latrell Mitchell conceded an eight-point try for this high contact on Heamasi Makasini. FOX Sports
But as Makasini crossed the line, he was smacked across the face by the Bunnies superstar.
On-field referee Wyatt Raymond awarded the try, before the Bunker stepped in to award the extra penalty.
Doueihi calmly slotted the conversion from wide, and then added the extras from bang in front to give his side a 14-12 lead in the sheds.
Watch the 2026 NRL season live and free on Nine and 9Now.
“The ball is almost down … it was sloppy, it was lazy from Latrell,” Cooper Cronk said at half time for Fox Sports, before adding he didn’t think Mitchell had anything to worry about from the MRC.
Former Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves said it was a moment Mitchell “would want back”.
Cronk said he thought the eight-point try was enough of a penalty for the Rabbitohs, without needing to give Mitchell a further spell after half time.
The Bunnies went on to clinch a thrilling 20-16 win.
Earlier, it looked as if it could have been a long night for the Tigers fans who had travelled up the M1 when Jye Gray and then Jack Wighton crossed in the opening minutes.
The Tigers then settled into their work and enjoyed healthy field position before the two tries before half time.
In the second 40, Mitchell scored in the 51st minute, before Alex Johnston had a try almost literally land in his lap in the 66th. It would turn out to be the match-winner.
To make matters worse for the Tigers, they will be nervously waiting for injury updates on two key players, after Jarome Luai and Adam Doueihi hobbled off the park.