Jack Hetherington sent off for ‘old fashioned coathanger’ high shot

There are bad tackles and then there is this Jack Hetherington high shot that was a throw back to the wild times of the past.

Even Hetherington couldn't believe the vision.

Canterbury prop Jack Hetherington has been sent off after a shocking tackle on Cowboys fullback Valentine Holmes as the Bulldogs slumped to 0-6 with a 30-18 loss to North Queensland.

It was the 55th minute with the Bulldogs looking for something special while down 18-6 and looking for something to inspire them for a comeback.

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But the Bulldogs remain the only team without a win in 2021 after Hetherington was given his marching orders by referee Ashley Klein.

The former Panther and Warrior was sent off for what Fox League commentator Andrew Voss called “an old-fashioned coathanger” tackle on Cowboys fullback Valentine Holmes.

As per the send-off rule, the Bulldogs had to contend with one less player for the rest of the game after Hetherington was ordered from the field.

It was a throw back to the past.

Little surprise Hetherington got sent off.

The send-off rule will likely spark debate during the week, with Fox League’s commentators citing inconsistencies between on-field referees and the off-field judicial system.

While a send-off is a much more severe penalty than a 10 minute sin bin ruling, Voss and Alexander said this may not be reflected in Hetherington’s punishment at the judiciary this week.

Voss pointed out that the Roosters’ Victor Radley was sin binned on Friday, while Souths’ Latrell Mitchell is facing four weeks for his high shot, but didn’t have any action on the field.

“I’m not going to argue with that being a send off though. I think there was enough force in that for Jack Hetherington to be sent off,” commentator Greg Alexander added. “The send off offence is subjective. There was enough force and swing in that tackle from Jack Hetherington to say that’s deserves to be sent off.”

Voss added: “But he might get a lesser suspension than the other two. I don’t think referee, bunker, match review are all on the same page at the moment and that’s a problem.”

That was pretty disgusting from Jack Hetherington. Send off well and truly deserved #NRLCowboysBulldogs#NRL@NRLonNine

— Michael Atkinson (@kinson88) April 18, 2021

Hetherington, who has become a frequent visitor to the NRL tribunal in his short career, was the first player to be sent from the field this season.

Sharks playmaker Chad Townsend’s late shoulder charge on Knights star Kalyn Ponga in round 17 last year was the most recent move deemed worthy of a send-off before Sunday.

Incredibly, while the Cowboys scored next, Kyle Flanagan and Tuipulotu Katoa scored to make it 24-18 with nine minutes to go before Mitchell Dunn sealed the Cowboys win in the 78th minute.