Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves sin binned after heated melee

Sydney Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was sent to the sin bin following a heated melee against the Melbourne Storm.

Sydney Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has been sin binned during Friday evening’s NRL match against the Melbourne Storm for “contact on the ground”, prompting a heated melee at AAMI Park.

Sydney Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was sent to the sin bin during Friday evening’s 18-14 victory over the Melbourne Storm for “contact on the ground”, prompting a heated melee at AAMI Park.

The Roosters were leading by 14 points in the 23rd minute when a brief fisticuffs erupted after Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster appeared to cop high contact during a tackle.

“Listen, I have already spoken to you about Nelson, he has come in and flared it up again and he has been grabbing players,” referee Adam Gee said after the incident.

“Listen to me, if he comes in again, or we get another melee blokes will be sitting down, no more, line in the sand.”

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But the players seemingly weren’t paying attention, with another brawl kicking off the very next tackle.

Melbourne forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona charged at Waerea-Hargreaves, making heavy contact with the Roosters prop before collapsing to the deck.

And while on the ground, Waerea-Hargreaves’ hand seemingly made contact with Asofa-Solomona’s face in a clawing motion before a potential headbutt.

Gee gave the New Zealand representative 10 minutes on the sidelines after consulting the replays, also putting him on report.

“It isn’t the initial contact, it is on the ground,” Gee explained while raising 10 fingers.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona of the Storm is tackled by Jared Waerea-Hargreaves of the Roosters. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

The Melbourne crowd erupted with delight as Waerea-Hargreaves made his way off the field, leaving the Roosters with 12 men for the next 10 minutes.

And the hosts took advantage of the one-man surplus, reducing the deficit to just six points at half-time.

Earlier in the Round 24 contest, Sydney lock Victor Radley raised some eyebrows after he appeared to grab Asofa-Solomona’s neck during a maul.

AAP journalist Fraser Barton tweeted: “This is insane.”

More fighting than footy tonight it seems. #NRLStormRoosters

— Alex Fair (@AJFair85) August 26, 2022

Some very dumb footballers out there at the moment
Seriously JWH just stupid !#NRLStormRoosters

— Bernie Coen (@berniecoen) August 26, 2022

Daniel Tupou dived over in the seventh minute to give the Roosters an early lead, with teammate Joseph Manu doubling up soon after.

But Melbourne winger Xavier Coates scored near the corner flag in the 32nd minute to keep the contest alive.

“The Roosters have come to Melbourne to rattle the Storm’s cage,” Queensland great Gorden Tallis told Fox League at half-time.

“But the Storm won’t go away.”

The Roosters held a 14-8 lead over their rivals at half-time, and Trent Robinson’s men held their nerve to book their place in the finals with a thrilling four-point victory.