NRL icon baffled after referee call as Reece Walsh suffers gruesome hit

NRL commentators have been left baffled over the referee’s verdict on a hit that left Reece Walsh with a “severe” injury.

Reece Walsh was left looking worse for wear after a brutal collision with Taylan May. Picture: Supplied

Fox League commentator Andrew Voss was left baffled at Penrith’s Taylan May being placed on report for a high shot that left Reece Walsh with a “severe” cut around his eye.

May collided with the Brisbane superstar in a brutal head clash just a few minutes into the rematch of the 2023 grand final at BlueBet Stadium.

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The hit left Walsh bleeding profusely below his left eye and was forced from the field to undergo a head injury assessment.

Although Walsh passed his HIA and looked ready to return to the action, he ventured back to the sheds and was eventually ruled out of the contest due to his inability to see properly out of his left eye, with the star fullback to undergo scans on Friday morning.

Referee Gerard Sutton decided to blow his whistle and award a penalty to the Broncos, explaining to Panthers skipper Isaah Yeo that May has “got a duty of care to bend to make a tackle and he doesn’t bend.”

Sutton subsequently placed May on report.

Reece Walsh was left looking worse for wear after a brutal collision with Taylan May. Picture: Supplied

However, the decision to call for a penalty and then to not place May in the sin bin left Voss flabbergasted.

Rugby league legend Michael Ennis noted on commentary “we’re going to see a penalty here” and Voss replied: “Really?”

After Sutton placed May on report, Voss couldn’t believe what he’d seen.

“Ok then, if it’s illegal and the player is wounded and that player is now off, can you follow the logic process of that?” Voss said.

“I don’t support the decision at first impression.

Walsh was left bloodied after a head collision with Taylan May. Picture: Supplied

Voss added: “That’s a talking point. Can (NRL) 360 have a special edition on that incident alone? Has the game just been rewritten how it’s played?”

Ennis then pointed out the significant impact Walsh’s absence would have on the Broncos given his importance to their attack.

“Well all of a sudden for Kevin Walters now, plans are in disarray,” Ennis said.

“Their superstar fullback only four minutes into the contest has left the field with a severe cut around the eye after a severe collision with Taylan May.”

Yet Voss continued to scratch his head at why Sutton called the incident a penalty in the first place.

“I don’t agree with the penalty,” Voss said.

“The fact is they’ve blown it. Wounded player, now off the field, potentially gone for the game, and there’s no sin bin?

“I mean, any other high tackle, you’re off to the bin.”

Voss concluded: “I don’t get it, I’m sorry. Duty of care, there’s a lot of accidents in our game and this is an accident.”

Originally published as NRL icon baffled after referee call as Reece Walsh suffers gruesome hit