Tigers winger Luke Laulilii has been hit with a one-match ban for dangerous contact after an incident which led to Bailey Simonsson being stretchered from the field with a possible dislocated ankle in the second half of a fiery Easter Monday clash against the Eels
Simonsson was competing in the air for the ball against Tigers winger Luke Laulilii when his right ankle twisted outwards as he landed and was tackled to the ground. Laulilii did not get hold of the ball while tackling Simonsson in the air.
The Eels gun was in visible agony as he laid on the turf with his foot still facing outward. The Tigers had swept up the ball Simonsson dropped in hope to make a quick break.
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Bailey Simonsson dislocates his ankle during an airborne contest. Fox League
Mitch Moses was quick to plea with referee Peter Gough to investigate the airborne incident, pointing to the severity of Simonsson’s injury.
“I don’t think it is a deliberate action. Just take a minute and take a breath, allow the process to happen,” Gough told the Eels captain.
Gough was heard alerting the Bunker that Simonsson’s injury “looked pretty bad” while Moses continued informing the referee that his teammate “could be (out) for a while”.
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Simonsson was quick to alert trainers that he needed a stretcher to leave the field.
“They’ve had some bad luck Parramatta to start the season,” Mick Ennis said on Fox League.
Bailey Simonsson is assisted off the field via a medicab. Fox League
As Simonsson was being helped onto the stretcher, his teammates were seen squaring off with some Tigers players, who were attempting to move Laulilii out of trouble.
A chorus of boos sounded around Commbank Stadium towards Laulilii, who was stuck on the sideline near a large group of Parramatta fans.
Gough then signalled that Laulilii would be spending 10 minutes in the sin bin.
Benji Marshall did not agree with the call.
“It must’ve been (influenced by the injury),” the Tigers coach said.
Luke Laulilii is sent to the sin bin. Fox League
“If he didn’t get injured, would it have been the same result?
“I didn’t agree but whatever, we just had to deal with it.”
Laulilii risks a two-match ban if he fights the charge at the judiciary and loses.
Simonsson was then applauded off the field as he departed on the medicab. He was then taken straight to the hospital with a badly dislocated ankle.
Jason Ryles insisted he has no bad blood towards Laulilii for the incident.
“It just happens that it is foul play. We’ve had two seasons ended and one (out) for eight weeks,” Ryles said.
Moses interjected: “Probably another season-ending one now.”
Ryles then recognised that a new young talent will now get an opportunity to come in.
“Those contests happen every week, same with the hip drops,” Ryles continued.
“The players don’t mean to do it, we understand that. But there are reasons why those actions are outlined, because of what we are going through now.
“It is what we sign up for each week. We just have to crack on. For me, as disappointing as it is, it is another opportunity for next player in.”
Ryles was unsure if the team would apply for dispensation, but he was open to doing so.
“I’m not exactly sure how that works, that is above my paygrade,” he said.
“I just need to deal with what is in front of us right now … but surely I think it would be something worth considering, with foul play, season-ending injuries. I’d think common sense would prevail.”
Laulilii will be nervously awaiting to learn his fate for the act on Monday evening.
Marshall confirmed that he would need to review the footage to decide whether the club would appeal the judiciary result if a ban is handed out.