‘Hit ‘em with $100k’: Maroons 14 man blunder fined

The Queensland Rugby League have been hit hard for around 30 seconds of confusion in the opening match of the 2023 State of Origin series.

The Queensland Rugby League have been hit with a hefty $30,000 fine after it was hit with a breach notice for playing around 30 seconds of State of Origin game one with 14 men on the field.

It was in the 19th minute of the match when Tom Gilbert had suffered his game-ending shoulder dislocation after he reeled out of a tackle.

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But as he was making his way off the field, Lindsay Collins and the Queensland trainer jumped the gun as he made his way onto the field.

Although it didn’t have any impact in terms of helping Queensland get an overlap or muscling up in defence, referee Ashley Klein blew a penalty for “14 men on the field”.

“He hadn’t left the field and Collins was out there … Too eager,” commentator Mat Thompson said.

“He looked to go off the field on the opposite sited. There was obviously confusion with the Queensland trainer and who was substituting,” Cameron Smith added.

“Lindsay Collins entered the field of play. He ran the ball.”

Tom Gilbert was in a bad way. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The penalty gave the Blues an attacking set close to the line but ultimately didn’t lead to a try.

But in Origin, everything is bigger — especially the controversy.

When former Blues enforcer Mark Carroll was asked about the fine, he said it was nowhere near enough.

“I didn’t know he went on — what’s $30 grand but,” Carroll said.

“What’s $30 grand, it’s like pocket money for them.

“Hit ‘em with $100k — it’ll never happen again.”

Wonder if he would have said that if it was a Blues player …

Carroll was clearly saying it tongue in cheek and was betrayed by a little smile at the end of his comment.

Mark Carroll on NRL Tonight. Photo: Fox Sports

But The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis still baulked at Carroll’s suggestion, saying it was just a bit of confusion.

“Yeah, it’s enough,” he said. “A bit harsh there Spud, it didn’t have any impact on the club.”

He did concede it would have caused a firestorm had it impacted the play significantly.

Carroll admitted he was joking about the $100k.

“For me that was like fly-fishing, I just wanted to see if you were alive,” he said.

“As if they’re going to pay $100 grand. $30 grand’s a bit of a big number but as you said, it had no effect on the game.”

Lindsay Collins had a strong match for Queensland. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

However, $30,000 is still no laughing matter and the QRL will have five days to respond to the notice.

“The breach notice proposes a fine in the amount of $30,000 for an alleged breach of the NRL operations manual,” an NRL statement read.

“Approximately 18 minutes into the match, the Maroons had 14 players on the field for approximately 30 seconds.

“The alleged breach occurred following an injury to Maroons player Tom Gilbert.

“Maroons player Lindsay Collins entered the field of play to replace player Gilbert, however player Gilbert failed to leave the field of play resulting in both players being on the field at the same time.”

With NCA Newswire