Ben Hunt’s 300th game ruined by ‘most costly sin binning of the year’

Dragons talisman Ben Hunt’s 300th game did not go to plan after a single play appeared to put his side to the sword in brutal fashion.

It was a pretty harsh sin bin. Photo: Fox Sports

The North Queensland Cowboys have spoiled Dragons star Ben Hunt’s 300th game with a 42-22 win in Townsville on Saturday evening.

Dragons have now lost six straight but coming into the match had lost five on the trot by a combined total of 13 points, which was the first time it’d happened since Balmain in 1927.

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But after being kickstarted by a first half sin bin which flipped the game on its head, the Cowboys were too strong, running away for the side's first back-to-back wins of 2023.

It was 20 minutes in the first half with the game at 6-all when the sin bin occurred.

A short drop out was regathered by the Cowboys, despite hints of a knock on.

Heilum Luki streaked away however, before linking with winger Kyle Feldt who took the ball over halfway and to the Dragon’s 30m line.

But as Feldt seemed to look for a quick play the ball, the Dragons’ Jayden Sullivan was deemed to have held Feldt down and was sin binned for the professional foul.

The Dragons immediately erupted as replays showed Feldt appeared to have tangled himself up with Tyrell Sloane after Sullivan had taken the Cowboys winger to the ground.

Kyle Feldt appeared to tangle himself in the tackle. Photo: Fox Sports

It could also be argued that the Dragons had their arms in the air and were trying to clear the ruck but for Feldt’s arm behind Sloane’s leg.

“Sullivan’s saying I’m innocent, I’ve been held, I’ve been tangled up,” Andrew Voss said on Fox League.

“Pretty tough call I’d say, he was held underneath,” Roach said.

Post-match, Cowboys coach Todd Payten addressed the sin bin and said: “I only watched the replay once and I though the wrong bloke went to the bin.

“My first thought is that it should have been Sloane that went to the bin.”

Even more bizarrely, Sullivan didn’t come back on the field after the sin bin and it raised questions for the commentators.

“I think if this was Formula 1 you’d be questioning the pit stop strategy by now,” Andrew Voss said.

“It’s quite a situation, he’s your first choice halfback today and goes off the field in the 20th minute and doesn’t return. It’s amazing.

“It’s the storyline of the game, absolutely staggered that Sullivan has no role to play with 13 minutes to go, arguably the most attacking surprise force last week against the Tigers. It’s a bizarre situation.”

Jayden Sullivan dejected after the match. Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Steve Roach added: “Well he got hooked a long, long time ago. He hasn’t even had the opportunity to get back on and I don’t even think the sin binning was his fault.”

Sullivan has looked Dragons best player, he has played 20min?

Hooked from a Sin Bin which wasn’t his fault? #wtf

— Dean Watling (@deanwatling) May 13, 2023

Worst sin bin I’ve ever seen. Sullivan is under the player and can’t get out but gets sin binned. 🤦🏻 #NRLCowboysDragonshttps://t.co/Eh3JiNPW29

— Rugby League News (@RugbyLeagueNews) May 13, 2023

Soooo

- Dearden professional foul. No sin bin.
- Cowboys score next set.
- Cowboys knock on a short drop out, allowed to play on.
- Sullivan sin binned when he shouldn't have been.
- Cowboys score next set.

The fix is well and truly in here. #NRLCowboysDragons

— Scott Pryde (@sk_pryde) May 13, 2023

The Cowboys made the most of the extra man, taking it from 6-all to 22-6 through tries to Jack Gosiewski, Luki and Tom Dearden.

“Three tries when the Dragons are down to 12,” Voss added.

“Three tries in a matter of minutes — the cheergirls are getting a stitch.

“That’s one of the most costly sin binnings of the year to see that many points amassed by the team of 13.”

The moment Ben Hunt’s party was spoiled. Photo: Fox Sports

And the Cowboys put an exclamation mark on the half when Valentine Holmes booted a 50m two-point field goal at the end of the half.

While the Cowboys scored first in the second, the Dragons responded but the damage had already been done as the Cowboys finished comfortable winners.

It was another sad press conference for Dragons coach Anthony Griffin and captain Hunt after another brutal loss.

“Our execution was nowhere near where it needed to be,” Griffin said.

“That was the whole crux of the game.

“If we executed better and were a little more patient, we were going to get our chance to win the game through the 80 minutes but we never give ourselves the chance.”

Post-match, Hunt said that it was a special night with people he didn’t expect to travel to Townsville in the crowd but: “I would have traded it in for a better effort and a win.”