The Dolphins benefited from a controversial sin bin decision to make it back-to-back wins and heap more misery on the Bulldogs.

They ran out comprehensive 44-12 winners but the game turned after State of Origin hopeful Jacob Preston was sent to the bin.

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The second rower mistimed a big hit on Isaiya Katoa, who had his back turned to Preston when he committed the late tackle.

It sparked a furious reaction from Dolphins scrum half Tom Gilbert, who confronted Preston before the referee intervened.

Ref Grant Atkins judged the tackle was “completely unnecessary” and had an “elevated risk of force”.

But Dogs coach Cameron Ciraldo disagreed, arguing there was nothing else his man could have done.

“You can see it’s only a minimal, he just passed it before he made contact. I think they got that call wrong,” he said.

“I don’t know what you want him to do.

”Katoa’s got the ball, he’s going to tackle him and then he releases it a millisecond before he hits him. I don’t know. I don’t understand it.”

However at the break Cameron Smith pointed out such a tackle was never going to be overlooked, though he did show sympathy.

“The game, it just doesn’t cop it anymore… any late contact when they’re unaware, it’s automatically to the sin bin,” he said.

“A lot of people could say a little bit harsh but that’s where the game is now.”

Yet several fans disagreed with the call as they believe Preston had to make the tackle.

“No offence there. What if the halfback dummied? You have to hit him. The game is soft,” said one.

Another added: “It was just a late tackle.”

A third simply commented: “Soft.”

Unfortunately for the Bulldogs the incident proved costly as Dolphins ran in two tries while Preston was off the pitch.

The result leaves the Dogs 13th on the ladder and without a win in four games.

Originally published as Dolphins benefit from controversial sin bin call to heap more misery on Bulldogs