Blues coach Brad Fittler was enraged at Matt Burton’s sin after the NSW star was hit by Dane Gagai.
Burton was hit by Gagai after he appeared to stumble upon Kalyn Ponga on the ground.
The center-back, who punched in retaliation, was attacked by Queensland striker Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, who sparked an all-in melee in the second half of the 22-12 victory.
The crucial turning point of the match saw both teams down to 12 men for 10 minutes with Burton and Gagai sent off the field.
Fittler, however, was furious because Burton received his marching orders, claiming that he was defending himself.
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“At the end of the day he didn’t start it, Burto,” Fittler said.
“He will not fight with anyone.
“At the end of the day he was tight. He was penalized. We received the penalty. Then we got on our belts and put on a lock and went out with one player below each.
“It’s a little ridiculous. But it’s what it is.”
Blues boss James Tedesco believes Fa’asuamaleaui should also have been sent to the sin container if he punched after putting Burton in the head.
“Yeah, I thought so,” Tedesco said.
“I don’t know if he really punched me, but I thought that if he did he should also have been shut down for sin.
“That’s why he said Gagai was hooked because he punched, so I don’t know if Tino did it too, but he did.
“I actually asked and he said …”.
“Maybe ask that to the referees,” Fittler interposed.
“We don’t stop there.”
Fittler, visibly baffled, was asked what his main thrill was after losing his second series in three years against the Maroons.
“I’ve been doing this for a long time and win and lose,” Fittler said.
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Fittler, visibly baffled, was asked what his main thrill was after losing his second series in three years against the Maroons.
“I’ve been doing this for a long time and win and lose,” Fittler said.
“It’s just disappointing. The guys are in there and they’ve worked really hard for so long between club football and everything else, they’ve trained hard and they’ve given up and sacrificed.
“And you lose, so it hurts.
“But usually that’s what makes the guys work harder and we have to work harder. We have to be better.”
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