Storm skipper Cameron Smith sin-binned for the first time in his career
IT has been anything but a Good Friday for referees as Cameron Smith was sin-binned for the first time in his career and tensions boiled over as players became frustrated. Watch it here and vote in our poll!
Sharks
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IT has taken 362 games and 16 years but Storm skipper Cameron Smith has been sin-binned for the first time in his career.
The reigning Dally M medallist was sent marching by referee Matt Cechin after being penalised in quick succession for backchatting.
The referees copped the ire of fans on social media on Friday night after blowing a massive 24 penalties in the Rabbitohs and Bulldogs clash and a staggering 33 penalties at Shark Park in the Cronulla and Melbourne match.
Tensions boiled over in ugly scenes in Cronulla at the full-time siren with players coming to blows in the centre of the field.
MATCH REPORT: Penalty-fest mars Sharks win
The @NRL is borderline un-watchable so far this season. As a recently retired TedBall pioneer once said... "Let the boys PLAY!" #penaltyathon #NRL #NRLSharksStorm
— Trent Copeland (@copes9) March 30, 2018
Honestly the continual blowing of the whistle for penalties is pain staking! Rugby league is about attrition, let us see some. #putyourwhistlesaway
— Mark Geyer (@markMGgeyer) March 30, 2018
Sharks vs Melbourne..I know players have to take some accountability but a penalty every 3 minutes??? Referees either need to have another meeting with players and coaches to clear things up again or the players need to be more disciplined?? Bit of both I think 🤔 @NRL ??
— Willie Mason WMM 💯🇦🇺🇹🇴 (@mase21) March 30, 2018
This is just so sad to watch... the game I love being torn apart before my eyes...
— The Mole (@9_Moley) March 30, 2018
I don't think I've ever seen anything as farcical or pig-headed as I'm seeing from the refs tonight. Just incredible. @Todd_Greenberg must address this ASAP. #NRLSharksStorm
— Adam Hawse (@AdamHawse) March 30, 2018
Man of the match - ref Matt Chechin - busiest person on the field blowing all those penalties. #NRLSharksStorm
— Stephen Fenech (@StephenFenech) March 30, 2018
"You get a penalty, and you get a penalty, and you get a penalty!"#NRLSharksStorm pic.twitter.com/A0RTSdJTQ2
— Ladbrokes.com.au (@ladbrokescomau) March 30, 2018
Dear @NRL
— Jordan Worboys (@JordyWorboys) March 30, 2018
The game is nothing without the fans.
Fans pay a lot of money on tickets, food, merchandise and transport to go support their teams and have to witness that.
Players, coaches and most importantly fans deserve better.
2 games nearly 60 penalties???
😡😡😡😡😡