Brisbane Broncos star Patrick Carrigan was controversially sin-binned after his tackle on Melbourne Storm forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona was adjudged to have been a hip-drop tackle.
The incident occurred in the 56th minute just after Asofa-Solomona returned to the contest having copped a rib injury in the opening half of an enthralling contest between the two sides.
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As he looked to drive up the middle, the hulking Storm star was brought to the ground and was left clutching his Achilles.
However, Carrigan came into the firing line when replays showed he brought Asofa-Solomona down with that looked like a hip-drop motion.
Fox League’s Dan Ginnane and Michael Ennis immediately knew what was coming, although the latter didn’t feel it was a hip-drop tackle.
“Uh-oh,” Ginnane said.
“What do you make of that, Mick?”
Ennis replied: “There’s no doubt he loses his leg. I think he’s (Carrigan) just slipping down though.”
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However, the incident was reviewed and referee Todd Smith was forced to break the bad news to Carrigan.
“The tackle’s been reviewed, it’s a hip drop, it’s on report and you’re in the bin,” Smith told Carrigan.
The Broncos’ stand-in skipper then asked Smith if he could tell him how he’d seen it, but the official had a stern reply.
“Pat, Pat, let me talk,” Smith said.
“The tackle’s been reviewed, it’s a hip drop action, you’ve landed on the legs.”
Ginnane pointed out Smith and the rest of the officials were simply maintaining the standard they had set.
“The problem for Pat is it’s consistent with how that has been reviewed, as tough as it is, for the last few weeks,” Ginnane said.
“But clearly he’s slipped.”
Ennis added: “They just want them to keep their feet and bring them to the ground with their arms. That’s what they’re asking for.”
