![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776909012_441_poster-fallback.png\"\/)
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And it\u2019s such a shame that so many matches are being influenced, even shaped, by these grey-area calls instead of the great football we are witnessing this year.<\/p>\n
We should be focussing on the incredible tries that are being scored.<\/p>\n
The amazing athleticism.<\/p>\n
The phenomenal speed.<\/p>\n
The explosiveness combined with the endurance.<\/p>\n
But no, on the biggest day of the NRL regular season calendar, it was two ridiculous sin bins that stole the spotlight.<\/p>\n
Yes, the Roosters were always expected to win _ and win comfortably.<\/p>\n
But in the fair dinkum stakes the Dragons were never given a fighting chance to make it a contest worthy of the occasion on Anzac Day after two contentious first-half sin bins.<\/p>\n
Luciano Leilua was first to go, marched for a late, high shot on a kicking Sam Walker.<\/a><\/p>\n Was it dumb? Yes, without question it was a boneheaded play by the Dragons backrower.<\/p>\n But worthy of 10 minutes in the bin? That\u2019s highly debatable.<\/p>\n Yet while Leilua was off, the Roosters blew the score out from 12-0 to 22-4.<\/p>\n The contest was effectively over.<\/p>\n But just to rub it in, the Dragons then lost Daniel Atkinson soon after Leilua returned to the field for a so-called \u201cprofessional foul\u201d.<\/p>\n It occurred when Atkinson knocked the ball out of the dummy half\u2019s hand after the ball had clearly left the ruck.<\/p>\n Was it even worthy of a penalty? Again, that\u2019s debatable.<\/p>\n But a sin bin?<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/p>\n Private jet and celebrity exit: Inside Luai\u2019s Chiefs visit… and why it could spark exodus<\/a><\/p>\n Why legend\u2019s son is Roosters\u2019 future; Storm options as mass changes loom \u2014 Ressies Wrap<\/a><\/p>\n SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 23: Apisai Koroisau of the Wests Tigers is sent to the sin-bin by referee Ashley Klein.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n In Channel Nine commentary, two of the greatest players of the modern generation in Andrew Johns and Cameron Smith argued that point.<\/p>\n Johns said: \u201cIs that a new rule?\ufeff I\u2019ve never heard that … I can\u2019t believe that was a penalty, let alone a sin bin\ufeff.\u201d<\/p>\n Smith, the out-and-out best dummy half to ever play the game, was also of the belief that the dummy half should be \u201cfair game\u201d the moment the dummy half exits the ruck.<\/p>\n \u201cYou need to be aware that there\u2019s going to be a marker that\u2019s trying to put you under the pressure and play at the ball … I think that needs to change, that rule,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n Yet the Dragons, already out of their depth against one of the NRL\u2019s most dangerous attacking teams, still had to play another 10 minutes a man down.<\/p>\n In that period the Roosters raced in two more tries.<\/p>\n It completely ruined the game for everyone bar Roosters supporters.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not saying the Dragons would have stood a chance even if it remained 13 on 13 for the entire match.<\/p>\n But surely, they at least deserved a fighting chance.<\/p>\n Marshall’s ref fury despite victory | 05:40<\/p>\n Meanwhile, days earlier, it was Benji Marshall blowing up after Api Koroisau\u2019s sin bin for a hip drop against the Raiders.<\/p>\n Even in victory, Benji couldn\u2019t bite his tongue that such an innocuous tackle could cost a team their dummy half for 10 minutes.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know what he\u2019s supposed to do in that situation,\u201d Benji said of Koroisau\u2019s tackle on Noah Martin.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s making a cover tackle from behind. Of course he\u2019s going to land on his legs.\u201d<\/p>\n And again, in that 10-minute period Api was off the field, the Raiders scored two tries to take the lead in front of a sellout Leichhardt Oval.<\/p>\n It was the ultimate proof of how big a handicap it is playing a man down in the modern game _ where the six again restart rule has already made it just about impossible for the defending team to stay on the contest.<\/p>\n Benji added: \u201cI just think the fans deserve some consistency around the interpretations of the rules. We\u2019re not getting it\u201d.<\/p>\n And Benji is right, the fans do deserve better.<\/p>\n As Wayne Bennett said late last week in response to Benji\u2019s blow up<\/a>, while we can\u2019t ever expect consistency across the game, we can limit the amount of sin bins we are seeing.<\/p>\n Bennett\u2019s argument is that the match review committee should be left to hand out the punishments after the game.<\/p>\n ‘One rule for you, one rule for another’ | 03:32<\/p>\n If it\u2019s a blatant and reckless high shot, the ref can still go ahead and send them off.<\/p>\n But if it\u2019s not so clearcut, or as dangerous, shouldn\u2019t we be keeping 13 on 13 wherever possible?<\/p>\n Bennett told the media last week: \u201cThe sin bin is the worst thing for me personally because of the inconsistencies that is applied.<\/p>\n \u201cIt has a huge impact on games. I don\u2019t believe it\u2019s fair. We have a judiciary that does a pretty good job reviewing all the games, and they get charged the next day.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t get into my head why you can\u2019t do that the next day.<\/p>\n \u201cWhatever you want to do, I don\u2019t care. But don\u2019t send a guy to the bin for a hip-drop and (not) send another guy.\u201d<\/p>\n Let\u2019s hope the NRL was listening.<\/p>\n Koroisau looking at 3 game ban | 25:52<\/p>\n ABSOLUTE MADNESS HOW API GETS SAME THREE-MATCH BAN AS SU\u2019A?<\/p>\n That said, I still find it absurd that Api\u2019s hip drop even warrants a three-match ban _ the same suspension Jaydn Su\u2019A will serve for attempting to decapitate Cam Murray.<\/p>\n I understand that Koroisau had already been charged three times this year, and the loading influences the severity of his punishment.<\/p>\n But for mine this is another clear example where the punishment does not fit the crime under the current loading system.<\/p>\n Adding to the severity of Api\u2019s punishment, it also means Koroisau is now no chance of getting selected for NSW for the State of Origin opener _ given he won\u2019t play again before the Blues team is named.<\/p>\n DON\u2019T BE FOOLED BY BENNETT\u2019S MIND GAMES<\/p>\n It\u2019s always dangerous trying to psychoanalyse Wayne Bennett.<\/p>\n But there\u2019s little doubt the NRL\u2019s most experienced coach was up to his old tricks after South Sydney\u2019s statement win over Melbourne Storm.<\/a><\/p>\n While others were celebrating, Bennett was busy deflecting.<\/p>\n Plenty of commentators and fans took exception to his short, surly media conference.<\/p>\n Most couldn\u2019t understand why Bennett wouldn\u2019t at least praise his players after such an outstanding performance.<\/p>\n It was Souths\u2019 first-ever win over Melbourne at AAMI Park.<\/p>\n Instead, it looked like Coach Grumpy turned up ready to pick a fight.<\/p>\n But this wasn\u2019t about the media.<\/p>\n It was about the message Bennett wanted his players to hear _ that now is not the time to be patting themselves on the back.<\/p>\n And yes, Bennett might have come across as an old stick in the mud in the process.<\/p>\n But he was prepared to take a bullet to make sure his players didn\u2019t get caught up in their own hype.<\/p>\n ‘We didn’t talk about the streak’ | 05:59<\/p>\n Eight rounds into the season, he knows better than anyone how quickly things can turn.<\/p>\n And how one big win can become a distraction if it leads to complacency.<\/p>\n He also knows what\u2019s coming up next _ a trip to face the Newcastle Knights in Newcastle. A side on a three-game slide but far from easy-beats.<\/p>\n Especially with the likely return of Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best and Greg Marzhew, while Dylan Lucas and Tyson Frizell may also be available.<\/p>\n Add to that Bennett\u2019s history up in Newcastle, and you can bet the Knights will lift in front of their home crowd.<\/p>\n Bennett also hasn\u2019t forgotten Souths\u2019 shock loss to Canberra in Perth a few weeks back that came after an impressive win over the Bulldogs.<\/p>\n There is no doubt the Rabbitohs turned up in WA a bit cocky and with their minds not completely on the job.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a reminder how quickly momentum can stall.<\/p>\n Bennett understands better than anyone how hype in April means nothing come September.<\/p>\n It might have looked prickly, but it was calculated.<\/p>\n It might not win him any friends in the media today.<\/p>\n But it might just win Souths something far more important later in the year when it matters most.<\/p>\n Are Storm in danger of missing finals? | 03:47<\/p>\n WAS THIS THE MOMENT THAT COULD TURN THE STORM\u2019S SEASON?<\/p>\n It is easy to put the boot into the Melbourne Storm after six straight defeats.<\/p>\n But I could only admire how Harry Grant stuck up for a clearly shattered Craig Bellamy at the post-match media conference.<\/p>\n