Sharks skipper Dale Finucane escaped on-field punishment for a controversial tackle on Panthers star Stephen Crichton in Penrith’s 20-10 win over the Sharks.
The 71st-minute incident saw Finucane fly off the line and lunge at Crichton, his shoulder appearing to catch the Panthers star at first sight.
Crichton was brought down and out for an HIA, but the umpire ruled that the contact was not high from Finucane and did not penalize or report him.
Stream every game in every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership season live and ad-free during the game on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
“Oh, what happened there,” Andrew Voss said on Fox League.
“Finucane has flown in. They are patting him on the back, but I’m not sure about the technique.
“It was roundhouse stuff. There wasn’t, I’ll smack him in the hips. It wasn’t anything out of the Johnny Raper tackle manual.
“This is a moment.”
Michael Ennis initially thought Finucane had collected Crichton high on the tip of his shoulder, despite wrapping his arms around the plate.
“From the shoulder to the head,” Ennis said.
MORE NRL NEWS
‘MUCH LANGUAGE’: Gagai rejected for ‘dissent-related’ incident.
‘IT’S BEEN A TOUGH SEASON’: O’Brien admits Knights’ finals hopes are over
BIG HITS: Tedesco-Keary combination explodes as woeful Knights suffer Ponga blow
“YOU DON’T GO TO PIXAR”:Dragons star accused of leaking information
GUARD: Dragons sweat on star’s knee injury; Manly striker header
Dale Finucane takes on Stephen Crichton.Source: FOX SPORTS
“He’s so tenacious Dale Finucane. He has no respect for his body. He just threw himself at Crichton.
“I don’t think I knew where I wanted to hit him. I just wanted to hit him. He was trying to force an error.
“He is not a dirty player. There is no malice in this from Finucane, but it is contact with the boss.
However, umpire Ashley Klein, consulting with the bunker, was happy to rule the game, despite Crichton having to leave the field.
Get all the latest NRL news, news and analysis straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
Hat-trick denied to Harawira-Naera! | 00:47
“I know what you’re saying, but we don’t think he’s leading with his head,” Klein told Nathan Cleary, who protested the decision.
“It’s just a mess.”
After watching replays, Ennis thinks it may have been an accidental head bump.
“It’s head-to-head contact,” Ennis asked.
“In the replay it looked like it was Finucane’s cheek bumping into Stephen Crichton.
“Ashley Klein has seen no problem.”
“The bunker has obviously also reviewed it to reach that verdict,” Voss added.
“This is a time for review.”
Crichton’s ear showed plate damage in a graphic post-match photo.
The Fox League’s Lara Pitt reported that the Panthers doctor sewed it back up, but that Crichton would go to the hospital to see a plastic surgeon.
“Clear head contact. It was like a car crash. It’s weird that that’s OK,” manager Ivan Cleary told reporters.
Dale Finucane and Stephen Crichton with their injured ear. Source: Getty Images