Knights enforcer Dylan Lucas was sent for 10 minutes in the sin bin against the Bulldogs for a professional foul that left a league great stunned.
In only the ninth minute, Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey took a catch in goal and was sprinting to the 20m line to take a quick tap.
But Lucas, possibly unaware Tracey was in-goal, made a tackle and looked shocked to immediately be given his marching orders.
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Knights second rower Dylan Lucas was sent for 10 in the sinbin for a professional foul on Connor Tracey. FOX Sports
“He’s gone … I don’t know what he was thinking there – he’s had a brain-explosion,” Jake Duke said in commentary for Fox Sports.
Former Broncos coach Kevin Walters was speechless, while Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach said Lucas must have thought Tracey was playing on.
“Tracey was like a hare to get to the 20 for a quick tap, thought he was playing on, made the tackle, 10 minutes in the sin bin,” he said.
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“The referee didn’t have any option.”
The Knights had only minutes earlier scored the first points of the afternoon when Dominic Young crossed in the corner.
Even with the one-man advantage, the Bulldogs weren’t able to do anything with it, although Tracey was kept up in-goal by a brilliant tackle from Bradman Best and fullback Fletcher Hunt.
Tyson Frizell powered over in the 35th minute to increase Newcastle’s lead to 10-0.
Just before the half time whistle, Phoenix Crossland left the field for a concussion assessment after being knocked in the head by teammate Fletcher Hunt while contesting for the ball.
Lucas then made up for his earlier sin bin and scored the final try of the first half.