Former Knights and NSW playmaker Mitchell Pearce was sent to the sin bin twice in a fiery finals clash between the Catalans Dragons and Leeds Rhinos.
Leeds came away with a 20-10 victory in the niggling contest, eliminating the Dragons from the finals series with referee James Child being pelted with plastic cups by disgruntled fans while leaving the field.
In total, Catalans recorded three sin bins and a send-off, venting their frustration with a tweet in the 76th minute aimed at the referee’s controversial decisions.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
LISTEN TO EPISODE 24 OF THE FOX LEAGUE PODCAST WITH JARROD CROKER
“The James Child festival continues,” the Dragons’ official account wrote.
Pearce’s first sideline stint came after he charged into a Leeds player who was holding one of his teammates on the ground.
“Often in that situation it won’t be the two players scuffling, it will be the third man in,” the commentator said.
“Mitchell Pearce may well find himself in hot water here.”
FINALS PLAYER RATINGS
PANTHERS RATINGS: Cleary drops jaws with perfect return as flyer gets back to best
EELS RATINGS: Former Panther’s high ball horror show as danger man goes missing
The 33-year-old half was given his marching orders in the 24th minute, as the score sat at 0-0, allowing the Rhinos taking the upper hand with a 12-4 lead going into halftime.
The heated contest was filled with penalties, and a Dean Whare try dragged the Dragons back into the game — but their joy ended there.
Dragons hooker Michael McIlorum was sent to the bin in the 59th minute, before reserve Gil Dudson was shown a straight red for a headbutt former Raiders half Aidan Sezer.
Pearce was sent to the bin for a second time in the 78th minute for a high tackle, pointing for finger at Child while walking from the field.
MORE NRL NEWS
‘FEELING PRETTY GOOD’: Moses’ bid to play hinges on independent doctor
BIG HITS: Cleary exposes weak link in ‘masterclass’ return as Eels now face ‘hard way’
EELS WOES: Arthur says ‘health is priority’ for Moses but won’t rule out return
IN DOUBT: Twist in suspension storm as injured Panthers star sin-binned, on report
A hat-trick for Rhinos centre Liam Sutcliffe sealed victory, and Catalans coach Steve McNamara said “frustration got the better” of his side.
“Frustration got the better of our players and we didn’t handle the situation well enough,” McNamara said.
“In the last 20 minutes we could have fought our way back into the game but our discipline let us down.”
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
