Kotoni Staggs has escaped with a fine after Melbourne Storm fans were left questioning why he wasn’t sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle on Moses Leo that sent the Storm centre off the field in the dying stages of the Broncos’ win on Friday night. Staggs and Reece Walsh were both placed on report in Brisbane’s 18-14 win, which ensured the defending NRL premiers didn’t start the season 0-3.
Walsh hit Cameron Munster in the head with his shoulder in the first half in similar fashion to a number of incidents he was involved in last year. On Saturday morning he escaped a charge altogether after the match review committee found he didn’t have a case to answer.
Kotoni Staggs and Reece Walsh (R) were both put on report during the Broncos’ win over Melbourne. Image: AAP
As for Staggs, the Broncos centre made forceful contact to Leo’s head with his shoulder, and didn’t appear to be wrapping his arms in the tackle. It looked a similar incident to the one that saw J’maine Hopgood sin-binned and suspended for a game for his high shot on Alec MacDonald in Round 1.
But the match review committee only hit Staggs with a $1000 fine on Saturday. The panel ruled Staggs’ hit to be a Grade 1 careless high tackle, which only carries a fine.
Staggs’ tackle resulted in Leo having to leave the field for a head injury assessment, which meant he couldn’t take part in the final three minutes of the game. That would usually mean the offender is sent to the sin-bin, but Staggs got off lightly and was allowed to stay on the field.
Reece Walsh hit Cameron Munster in the head with his shoulder. Image: Channel 9
On social media, Storm fans were fuming that Staggs wasn’t binned. It would have given the Storm an extra player in the last five minutes as they searched for the match-winning try.
“How was that not a sin-bin for Staggs when it was for Papa (Josh Papalii) last night?!?” one person wrote. “The amateur inconsistency of the NRL is astounding…”
Another wrote: “How was Staggs not sent off at the end?? Makes no sense.” While a third added: “Crazy. No wrapping motion. Melbourne player goes off for HIA and Staggs stays on. Make it make sense.”
James Tedesco escapes sanction as well
Roosters captain James Tedesco was also facing a nervous wait for a lifting tackle on Dylan Edwards in the Panthers’ 40-4 victory. Tedesco tipped his opposite number onto his head in a dangerous tackle after the Panthers fullback had made a break.
Tedesco escaped a sin-bin as well, and wasn’t charged on Saturday morning. Steve Roach said in commentary for Fox League: “That should’ve been a sin binning. You’re supposed to let go once you make the tackle.”
James Tedesco put Dylan Edwards into a dangerous position. Image: Fox League