‘I’d do the same’: Clubs rue injury, suspension toll as Origin melee costs $26,000

NSW coach Michael Maguire says he would have thrown himself into the Origin III melee the same way Haumole Olakau’atu and Cameron Murray did from the Blues bench as both sides count the injury and financial cost of a bruising decider.

The NRL issued a record $26,100 in fines to 10 players and two-game suspensions that were accepted by Olakau’atu and Murray on Thursday for joining the fracas from the Blues bench.

Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly described the fact his club is bearing the brunt of a representative suspension as “amateur hour” on Thursday.

“If the ARLC are going to persist with their ridiculous Origin schedule, suspensions incurred in Origin games need to be served in representative matches, just as international football [soccer] do,” Solly told this masthead.

NSW are beginning to feel the toll of their epic series decider victory with halfback Mitchell Moses to miss the rest of the season with a biceps injury and fullback Dylan Edwards suffering a suspected torn PCL.

Edwards won’t play for Penrith against the Dolphins on Sunday and is expected to be sidelined for up to three weeks after he suffered a knee injury early in the second half, yet still went on to claim man-of-the-match honours.

Mitchel Moses celebrates with his daughter Aspyn.Credit: Getty Images

Queensland were also battered and bruised on Thursday, with Brisbane star Pat Carrigan leaving Maroons camp in a moon boot and Reece Walsh playing through a lower leg issue that has him in doubt to play a crucial clash against Newcastle on Sunday for the struggling Broncos.

Meanwhile, Blues winger Brian To’o and Queensland trio Reuben Cotter, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Jeremiah Nanai were all fined 13 per cent of their $30,000 match fee, or $3900, for their part in the sideline stoush.

Three other players – Payne Haas, Felise Kaufusi and Matt Burton, who was NSW’s 18th man – were slugged seven per cent of their fee, or $2100, and Kurt Capewell was also fined twice for separate offences.

Maguire described the suspensions for Murray and Olakau’atu as “disappointing” and felt for his former club Souths and Manly given the impact both bans will have on their run to their finals.

Dylan Edwards is treated mid-game for a suspected PCL tear.Credit: Getty

“Cam was reacting to seeing one of his own being surrounded by a whole lot of maroon jerseys,” Maguire said.

“What would anyone do in a situation like that? That’s a tricky one, Haumole was doing the same. I’d do the same, I think anyone would do the same.”

Blues five-eighth Jarome Luai was involved in the initial tangle with Daly Cherry-Evans that started the melee before players from both sides piled in.

“That’s part of the Origin arena and the game,” Luai said after flying back into Sydney.

Cameron Murray runs into a sea of Maroons players to fight from the bench.

“You’ve got to step onto that field knowing it’s going to become a war zone at any time. It erupted there. It was a blur being in amongst it. We got the penalty somehow. I was [surprised] because it was a knock on by Bradman [Best] and I didn’t see too much after it

“I was just happy to get the penalty. It just showed how much was at stake and the competitive levels that were getting thrown around there. Both teams wanted to win.

“It was a tight game so everyone on the field, even on the bench, was willing to do whatever it was going to take to win. It was great to be a part of.”

Moses ruptured his right biceps when trying to tackle Tabuai-Fidow just four minutes before full-time. He tried to defend the next Queensland set before coming from the field.

Moses told this masthead his season was over, a blow to him and the Eels, who are battling with the Wests Tigers to avoid the wooden spoon.

“The bicep is gone,” Moses said.

“It’s tough. It’s bittersweet. My season is over now. I’ll focus on next year. But it’s not a bad way to go out.

“I had my foot [injury] at the start of the year, but I came back, and I knew I just needed to get some games under my belt before getting back on to this arena.

“It’s a dream come true. You dream about those moments coming up here for a decider, and to win the series; it’s the best ever.”

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