Raiders star Seb Kris has become the fourth NRL player sent off this season following an ugly spear tackle that Sharks winger Sione Katoa was lucky to walk away from on Sunday.
Canberra were trailing 10-6 but looking to take the lead with 21 minutes to play when Jamal Fogarty put a kick up for Jack Wighton who leapt high but couldn’t come down with it to score.
Instead it was Katoa who plucked it out of the air and was then running it off his own line when Kris picked him up and drilled him into the ground.
Katoa landed on the point of his head which sparked an immediate reaction from teammate Jesse Ramien who went after Kris, who to his credit checked on his rival straight away.
“Dangerous tackle by Kris, he’s landed on his head. Katoa’s catch is fantastic and Kris’s tackle is going to come under some serious scrutiny,” Andrew Voss said on Fox League.
“This is a dangerous tackle, he’s landed on the top of his head, precedent would suggest a send off and I can’t see any other avenue for the referee here.”
“I’m with you Vossy,” Shane Flanagan said.
The crowd then started chanting “off, off, off” and referee Grant Atkins had no choice but to march the Raiders winger.
Canberra are playing finals but Kris’ season is almost certainly over with the match review committee likely to hand down a lengthy ban on Monday morning.
Katoa was able to continue and Cronulla took just one minute to take advantage of the extra man when Braydon Trindall scored down the other end before also Ramien crossed to make it 20-6 in the 64th minute.
The Sharks ran out victors and will now host the Roosters in an elimination final next weekend.
