‘They baited him’: Knights firebrand slaps rival in yet another ‘inexcusable’ brain fade

Newcastle firebrand Jack Hetherington has been sin binned after committing a second inexcusable brain fade in a matter of weeks.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 14: Referee Peter Gough sends Jack Hetherington of the Knights to the sin bin for 10 minutes during the round 20 NRL match between Newcastle Knights and Wests Tigers at McDonald Jones Stadium on July 14, 2023 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)

Newcastle Knights firebrand Jack Hetherington has been sin binned for slapping an opposition player for the second time in three games.

The Knights secured a much needed 34-18 win over the Wests Tigers at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday night to keep their finals hopes alive.

Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

The Bunker denied the Tigers a certain try in the early stages, ruling there was a forward pass in the lead-up to Tommy Talau’s try — even though clear for all to see the ball went backwards.

Newcastle made the most of the call, scoring three tries in the space minutes through Greg Marzhew, Bradman Best and Dominic Young to take an early lead.

The Tigers fought back with tries to Jahream Bula and Api Koroisau to trail 18-12 at halftime.

Early in the second half, Hetherington was caught in a high tackle, giving the Knights a penalty.

He wasn’t happy with the contact and got into some argy bargy with Tigers five-eighth Will Smith, who had some words for Hetherington.

Jack Hetherington is sin binned for another slap on an opposition player. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)

Another brain snap by Jack Hetherington. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)

The Knights forward couldn’t keep his cool and took the bait, slapping Smith in the face and the referee had no choice to send him to the sin bin.

Fox League’s Dan Ginnane said: “You’ve got Will Smith out of his weight division.

“Oh hello. Have they sucked Hetherington into something here? Little clip from Smith.

“Will Smith thinks it’s a punch and 10 in the bin. It’s an open handed slap. 10 for a slap. They baited him and he took the bait.”

Cooper Cronk said: “As soon as the referee blew the whistle, Will Smith was clapping as if Jack Hetherington’s in trouble.

“Complete unnecessary from Jack Hetherington. Whether you agree or not, there is absolutely no way Jack Hetherington should react in that way.”

The Tigers outscored the Knights 6-4 while Hetherington was in the sin bin.

Fans slammed Hetherington and had some fun with the face it was a man named Will Smith who was on the receiving end of a slap this time.

News Corp’s Martin Gabor tweeted: “Hetherington did the same thing against Penrith. Same result. Inexcusable stuff.”

Just dumb Hetherington...

— The Mole (@9_Moley) July 14, 2023

Wow usually it's Will Smith doing the slapping. #NRL#NRLKnightsTigers#Oscars

— Jasper Bruce (@Jasperbruce3) July 14, 2023

Jack Hetherington and getting sin binned: name a more iconic duo

— n 🐶 (@justnictings) July 14, 2023

The irony of someone getting sin binned for slapping Will Smith could’ve made it into an Alanis Morrisette song #NRLKnightsTigers

— Simon Anderson (@simonjourno) July 14, 2023

Hetherington’s latest sin bin comes just weeks after he slapped Penrith’s Izack Tago “across the earhole” in Newcastle’s loss to the Panthers.

The incident adds to a long list of indiscretions throughout Hetherthington’s career.

The Knights survived the sin bin as Kalyn Ponga produced another masterclass from fullback, even though he left his goalkicking boots at home.

Ponga, Young and Tyson Gamble ran in second half tries to secure a relatively comfortable win to keep Newcastle’s faint finals hopes alive.

Originally published as ‘They baited him’: Knights firebrand slaps rival in yet another ‘inexcusable’ brain fade