‘What a farce’: Fans, commentators rage over ugly ‘dog acts’

The Sydney Roosters’ injury woes have worsened but fans and commentators have erupted over two ugly incidents in just one play.

Two ugly incidents mar first half.

The Parramatta Eels claimed a 31-18 victory over an injury ravaged Sydney Roosters on Friday night.

While the Eels claimed the two points, the Roosters’ injury crisis crashed to new levels with a mix of foul play and bad luck seeing Sydney even more decimate.

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Just before halftime, the Eels led 18-10 with the Roosters already down two players after failed HIAs to Victor Radley and Matt Ikuvalu.

The Roosters also lost Sam Walker with an ugly looking ankle injury in the second half.

But it was an incident with less than a minute left that drew the ire of fans and commentators alike.

The Roosters went for a short side play, skirting the sideline and seemingly putting Drew Hutchison in for a try.

Ultimately it would be called back for a touch from Josh Morris but it was hardly the issue that had fans and commentators fuming.

As Tedesco snuck down the short side, he was flattened by Eels centre Marata Niukore with a shoulder charge, while, Hutchison was left flailing on the ground in agony as Dylan Brown slid in with his knees.

While there were clearly two issues in the play, the Bunker went back to the first indiscretion, with Niukore going on report for the shoulder charge on Tedesco.

The Niukore hit on Tedesco.

“That’s very similar to the one that we saw at the SCG on ANZAC Day,” Michael Ennis said on Fox League.

Shane Flanagan added: “That frustrates me because that could put a player like James Tedesco out of our game for a long time.”

“Is it 10 in the bin worthy?” Dan Ginnane asked. “Is it worth more?”

Niukore shoulder charge on teddy into brown knees into Hutchison. No penalty?

— Jamie Soward (@sowwowofficial6) May 7, 2021

It’s the same for everyone man you know this. Head high is head high and shoulder charge is now more than ever is shoulder charge. Defender has responsibility to attacking player as well.

— Jamie Soward (@sowwowofficial6) May 7, 2021

But Brown’s one appeared to get off scot-free, at least on the field.

“That’s astounding,” Fox League’s said.

“I don’t know how with all the time we had and Bunker reviews that Dylan Brown wasn’t sin binned.

“I don’t know how Dylan Brown is not on report. Have I missed something? Am I seeing something wrong? He’s come in with knees. Yes Niukore needed to be put on report absolutely but surely Dylan Brown comes into question for those knees.”

Just after halftime, it was revealed that Brown was put on report.

The Brown knees on Hutchison

At halftime, it was reported that Hutchison was on oxygen from the paramedics before being taken to hospital with broken ribs and a suspected punctured lung.

But at halftime, Greg Alexander was baffled.

“Drew Hutchison may not come back on the field and I don’t know how the Bunker or the on-field referee missed the knees in the back,” Alexander said.

“That should have been a reportable offence and the Roosters should have been able to replace Drew Hutchison with the 18th man.”

While the commentators appeared to be baffled by the sequence, social media called for that to earn some time on the sideline.

Two dog acts by the Eels #NRLEelsRoosters

— Tom Arup (@aruptom) May 7, 2021

Two @TheParraEels players should be on report and in the bin #NRL#NRLEelsRoosters

— Bernie Coen (@berniecoen) May 7, 2021

Admittedly watching through a Roosters lens, but that knee on Hutchinson. Punctured lung. No repercussions for the Eels. ... Unbelievable ..... #NRLEelsRoosters

— Robert Grasso (@RobertGrasso) May 7, 2021

How can a player use.his knees like @TheParraEels Dylan Brown did then and not be sin binned and put on report ??? @9_Moley@AdamHawse what a farce.. he never attempted a tackle .. went in knees first #NRL#NRLEelsRoosters

— Bernie Coen (@berniecoen) May 7, 2021

That last 30 seconds was a mess from the refs #nrl#NRLEelsRoosters

— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) May 7, 2021

The refs should have just come together at the start of the second half, admit they stuffed that up, sin bin Dylan Brown and send off Niukore. That was ridiculous. #nrl#NRLEelsRoosters

— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) May 7, 2021

Incredibly, the Roosters took the game deep with a late field goal and a try the only thing that could get the Eels some breathing space in the 31-18 win.

That was despite the Eels having 63 per cent of possession in the game as the Roosters put in an incredible effort.