NRL 2019 | Josh McGuire called out in potential eye gouging drama

NRL bad boy Josh McGuire has drawn scrutiny once again after an ugly incident marred the first half of Thursday night’s clash.

North Queensland Cowboys star Josh McGuire is set to come under the scrutiny of the match review committee after another ugly possible eye gouging in Thursday night’s game against the Broncos.

It looked as if he put his hand on the face of David Fifita in the first half but the Broncos forward didn’t complain about the play.

But it’s an ugly look for McGuire, who has been accused for eye gouging twice so far this season.

It makes it the third incident this season for McGuire after a round five incident on Melbourne’s Cameron Munster and round 13 on Manly’s Dylan Walker.

He copped a $3350 for the Munster gouge and $4500 for the Walker moment but has yet to spend any time on the sidelines for the act.

McGuire was in the thick of the action as well, with melees breaking out just before and just after the break.

Josh McGuire could be in trouble again — and the ref was right there.

But it was the hands around the eyes that had the commentators talking in the breaks.

“No doubt he’s been in the thick of things again against his former club and his hand certainly comes in contact with the Brisbane player’s face,” Fox League’s Michael Ennis said. “Hard to see on that one angle where his thumb is and it looks like he’s just leaning on his face but given his history you’d certainly think he’d steer clear of that.”

Greg Alexander said: “It doesn’t seem like there’s much reaction from David Fifita. His hand went down on his face. I think he just leveraged himself up but he needs to be a bit smarter.

“With his history … keep your hands away from faces.

“I don’t want to label that an eye gouge.”

If the judiciary see it as an attempted gouge, McGuire will spend some time on the sideline.

The fine system says players are only allowed up to two fines per season for minor offences with the loading meaning the next charge will lead to a suspension.

On The Late Show with Matty Johns, Matty Johns said “What was he thinking?”

“I can’t work it out. I think there will be some questions asked.”

Josh McGuire also showed off his ball playing skills.

Cowboys coach Paul Green said he didn’t see the incident.

But Broncos coach Anthony Seibold preferred to discuss how his players counteracted McGuire as he brought niggle into the game.

“I don’t think our forward pack took a backward step to Josh,” Seibold said. “He was trying to niggle a few of the guys there, but our guys stood their ground.”

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A last-minute try to Brisbane halfback Jake Turpin snatched a 18-14 victory in the match, leaving the Broncos in the top eight.

Brisbane were down by two points heading into the final minute of Thursday’s dour encounter at 1300SMILES Stadium before Turpin defied multiple Cowboys defenders close to the line to seal an unlikely result.

— with AAP

Originally published as NRL 2019 | Josh McGuire called out in potential eye gouging drama