No suspensions handed out after opening State of Origin clash despite two reports

The decision to send Queensland’s Tom Flegler to the sin bin in Adelaide raised eyebrows, but he was charged for the hit on Tom Trbojevic.

Thomas Flegler was sent to the sin bin. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Queensland front-rower Tom Flegler has avoided suspension for the high tackle that left Tom Trbojevic concussed and earnt him a trip to the sin bin in the opening State of Origin clash.

But the Maroons are set to cop a five-figure penalty for fielding a 14th man for up to 30 seconds when Lindsay Collins replaced Tom Gilbert before he had left the field with a dislocated shoulder.

Flegler was put on report and sent to the sin bin in the final 15 minutes of the clash in Adelaide after the hit on Trbojevic that ended his night.

The Manly fullback was taken from the field and didn’t return and under concussion guidelines won’t be able to play a game again until the second Origin clash on June 22.

Flegler was put on report and charged with a grade 2 careless high tackle. But that will only result in a $3900 fine – or 13 per cent of his $30,000 match fee – with an early plea.

Thomas Flegler has been sent to the BIN for this clash with Tom Trbojevic! 😲

🖥️ #StateofOrigin Live & Exclusive | https://t.co/07L1tzGOS4#9WWOS#NRLpic.twitter.com/OOzqmCAUQU

— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) May 31, 2023

The only other charge handed down was a crusher tackle on NSW winger Josh Addo-Carr by Maroons man-of-the-match Reuben Cotter, who can also pay a $3000 fine with an early plea.

The match review committee opted against slapping Queensland fullback Reece Walsh with a contrary conduct charge after he pulled the hair of Jarome Luai during a second-half skirmish.

Whether Trbojevic maintains his spot for game 2, with the return of Latrell Mitchell likely after he missed the opening with a calf injury, remains a question for NSW coach Brad Fittler.

“It‘s a fair way away,” Fittler said of his team selection.

“We‘ll see what happens in a couple of weeks, we’ll go from there.

“I’ll catch up with him (Mitchell) over the next couple of days. He sent the boys a message and said things were going pretty good – hopefully, he’s fit and ready to be picked.”

Originally published as No suspensions handed out after opening State of Origin clash despite two reports