Titans skipper first player in NRL history sent off for biting

DAMNING video footage led to Titans’ back-rower Kevin Proctor becoming the first player in premiership history to be sent from the field for biting Kiwis teammate Shaun Johnson.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 15: Kevin Proctor of the Titans is called by referee Henry Perenara following an incident involving biting the forearm of Shaun Johnson of the Sharks during the round 14 NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Gold Coast Titans at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on August 15, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

DAMNING video footage led to Titans’ back-rower Kevin Proctor becoming the first player in premiership history to be sent from the field for biting Kiwis teammate Shaun Johnson in Cronulla’s 30-18.

The scores were level at 12-all before the drama unfolded leading to the Titans leaking three tries in seven minutes.

Johnson reacted immediately declaring he was bitten and showed off the mark.

The bunker intervened before referee Henry Perenara marched Proctor from the field for biting Johnson’s forearm.

Proctor was carrying the ball and protested Johnson was trying to choke him. Johnson was complaining of stomach pains throughout the match.

By the end of the game he gave the Titans plenty of headaches, laying on a try to Sione Katoa immediately when the Titans were down a man and restricted to just two reserves.

Johnson came from the field late when victory was assured with a groin injury.

Ex-Bulldogs prop James Graham was whacked with a 12-game ban for biting Billy Slater in the 2012 grand final.

HE MAKES ME PULL MY HAIR OUT: FAN’S HONEST TAKE ON PROCTOR

Proctor –off-contract at season’s end – now faces an uncertain future.

Sharks skipper Wade Graham, who scored soon after, was placed on report for a high tackle on Keegan Hipgrave.

Cronulla Sharks Shaun Johnson tackled Gold Coast Titans Kevin Proctor in the second half and despite there seemingly being nothing untoward in the shot, replays seem to showed Proctor biting at Johnson’s arm. Picture Fox Sports

STARTING FAST

The Titans impressed early. They took full advantage of poor defensive reads from Cronulla’s right defensive edge led by winger Ronaldo Mulitalo whose propensity to rush in almost cost his side a handful of times.

The Titans looked sharp through Brian Kelly, Corey Thompson and Ash Taylor.

It was Thompson who scored first with a cut out pass from Taylor catching the Sharks short after five minutes.

Ill-discipline both with and without the ball cost the Titans and allowed the Sharks back into the game. The Sharks went close to scoring through Aaron Woods only to be held up by Titans fullback AJ Brimson.

Josh Dugan, who limped from the field with an ankle injury in the second half, scored Cronulla’s first with a traditional try-assist by Wade Graham.

The Sharks had the lead midway through the second half when Johnson laid on a try to Siosifa Talakai 12-16.

The Titans struck back with a solo effort through Jai Arrow with the final play of the first half. Arrow carried through three defenders to score and level the scores.

Proctor had an unhappy game, bombing the first try scoring opportunity of the second half when he fumbled a grubber in the in-goal.

ARROW’S WOES

South Sydney bound lock Jai Arrow may have played his final game for the Titans because of a shoulder injury. Arrow fell awkwardly when being tackled by Cronulla defenders late in the first half, hurting his AC joint and with just six games left in the season scans will dictate if his stint at the Titans is over. The Titans also lost centre Dale Copely early in the second half with a pectoral injury.