In a surprising twist during the match between the Newcastle Knights and the Canberra Raiders, former NRL star Paul Gallen expressed disbelief that Greg Marzhew was not sent to the sin bin after a dangerous play involving Raiders fullback Kaeo Weekes. The incident occurred when Weekes, demonstrating poise under pressure, caught a high ball midway through the second half. However, as he landed, Marzhew collided with him, making contact with his legs while Weekes was still in mid-air, leading to a penalty call from referee Adam Gee.
The penalty sparked a debate around its seriousness. While Marzhew quickly apologised to Weekes, the focus shifted to whether he would be penalised further. Footage showed Weekes landing awkwardly after the collision, raising concerns about player safety. Gallen felt strongly about the incident, arguing that Marzhew should have received a 10-minute stint in the sin bin, stating, “That is the whole reason the sin bin rule was brought in, for when players attack players like that.” He believed that although Marzhew was focused on the ball, he had ample opportunity to avoid the collision in the last few metres.
Conversely, former player Billy Slater supported the referee’s decision, suggesting that the contact warranted merely a penalty due to Marzhew’s apparent focus on the ball throughout the play. He noted, “Kaeo Weekes got up there early and caught him by surprise. I don’t think his intentions were to do anything illegal,” reflecting a more lenient viewpoint.
The match continued with Marzhew initially showcasing his potential through a break from his own half, pulling off a daring run before being halted on the 20m line. Despite this early promise, the Raiders soon taught the Knights a lesson when Ethan Strange scored a try, followed by Simi Sasagi shortly after, which shifted the momentum in favour of the visitors.
Despite the differing opinions on Marzhew’s tackle, the incident highlighted the ongoing conversation around player conduct and safety in rugby league. Gallen’s stance resonated with many who have echoed concerns about protecting players, particularly those in vulnerable positions, like fullbacks attempting high catches. As the Knights managed to rally, scoring before half-time with Marzhew and Fletcher Sharpe crossing the line, the match remained fiercely contested, leaving fans eager for the action that still lay ahead.