NRL 2023: Fan ejected from Rabbitohs-Bulldogs clash after laser pointed at Matt Burton’s face

A fan was ejected from the Rabbitohs-Bulldogs clash after allegedly pointing a laser at Matt Burton’s face, while a Canterbury star was rushed to hospital in a dramatic night at Accor Stadium.

A fan has been ejected from Accor Stadium after allegedly point a laser at Matt Burton's face while lining up to take a conversion attempt.

They were booed off by their own fans a week ago, but the Bulldogs showed there might be some light at the end of the tunnel after they survived a furious comeback to beat the Rabbitohs 36-32 to complete one of the most remarkable turnarounds on a dramatic night at Accor Stadium.

There were serious questions being asked about the club just six days ago when they were thumped 66-0 by the Knights, but they gave their long-suffering fans something to cheer about with a couple of their stars bouncing back in style.

A fan has been ejected from Accor Stadium after allegedly point a laser at Matt Burton's face while lining up to take a conversion attempt.

It looked like they were set for a convincing win when they opened up a 36-22 lead with a few minutes to go, only for Souths to storm home with two tries in the space of 40 seconds that would have had Bulldogs fans fearing the worst.

Another line-break from the ensuing set had the Rabbitohs back on the attack with a fresh set of six, but a poor kick was fielded by new recruit Toby Sexton who might not know the team song but played a key role in his side’s win.

More information on the laser incident at Accor Stadium. Reports a 16yo kid was evicted by security. It took just eight minutes for security to find the kid who was having his picture taken with Reggie the Rabbit #NRLSouthsBulldogs

— Martin Gabor (@MartinJGabor) July 8, 2023

Winger Blake Wilson had the daunting task of replacing Origin star Josh Addo-Carr but he wasn’t fazed by the occasion, scoring the first three tries of his career as he got the better of Souths rookie Tyrone Munro who bagged a double of his own.

But it was Matt Burton who shone the brightest just days after he was overlooked by the Blues after what happened against Newcastle.

Matt Burton protests after being interrupted by the fan.

The Bulldogs five-eighth set up two tries, nailed sideline conversions and threw audacious flick passes in one of his best games of the year, while co-captain Reed Mahoney was just as good after a disappointing few weeks.

The only thing that seemed to slow Burton down on Saturday night was an unsavoury moment in the opening minutes when a fan flashed him in the eyes with a green laser as he attempted a conversion.

Burton alerted referee Liam Kennedy and then composed himself before he slotted the sideline conversion, with Accor Stadium security quickly jumping into action to catch the culprit.

It took them just eight minutes to find the 16-year-old offender who was with four other fans having a photo taken with Reggie the Rabbit when security apprehended them and kicked them out.

Ryan Sutton was rushed to hospital after complaining about neck pain after an ugly shoulder charge from Taane Milne. Picture: Getty Images.

Police will now investigate the incident, with the alleged offender facing a possible ban from the venue.

Thoughts with Ryan Sutton who is off to hospital for further investigation on neck pain he is suffering after tackle below. Fingers crossed just precautionary. The more obvious contact from Milne, but possible the secondary contact from Tatola contributed (rapid neck flexion) pic.twitter.com/xXvRAnt6jP

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 8, 2023

Meanwhile, Bulldogs prop Ryan Sutton was sent for scans on his neck after he copped a shoulder to the head from Taane Milne who faces a nervous wait for the match review committee’s charges to drop.

Sutton was carrying the ball back from a kick-off when he was collected high by the Rabbitohs centre who was initially placed on report but was then sent to the sin bin after the Bunker looked at additional angles.

There were huge concerns for Sutton who was in immediate distress and was eventually taken from the field on a medicab after the game was stopped for five minutes.

The Bulldogs confirmed that he was able to move in the sheds but the Englishman was sent to hospital as a precaution.

Originally published as NRL 2023: Fan ejected from Rabbitohs-Bulldogs clash after laser pointed at Matt Burton’s face