Mitchell Moses, the captain of the Eels, has faced criticism for allegedly ‘milking’ a penalty that resulted in Bulldogs player Viliame Kikau being sent to the sin bin during a recent match. The incident occurred during a high-stakes first half at Accor Stadium, where Kikau was penalised for dangerous contact after colliding with Moses’ kicking leg.
Referee Gerard Sutton issued the sin bin after reviewing the play, despite Kikau’s protests. Fox League commentator Greg Alexander noted that the situation seemed potentially dangerous, explaining that Kikau’s contact with Moses’ kicking leg caused him to flip in the air, which shouldn’t occur in today’s game.
As a consequence of Kikau’s temporary absence, the Eels capitalised on the moment, with Junior Paulo scoring to equalise the match at 12-12 shortly after. Despite the legitimacy of the penalty, fellow commentator Cooper Cronk suggested that Moses exaggerated the impact of Kikau’s contact and cast doubt on whether the sin bin was warranted, stating, “Mitchell Moses has milked that.”
In the early stages of the game, excitement erupted among Bulldogs’ fans when Matt Burton executed a remarkable try after capitalising on a poorly thrown pass from Ryley Smith. The crowd roared with delight, creating a lively atmosphere that even the commentators acknowledged as beautifully scripted. Following that, Moses made an impressive long-range effort, scoring a try that highlighted his team’s determination.
Midway through the first half, Bulldogs’ Marcelo Montoya added to the scoreboard by scoring another try, demonstrating both teams’ resilience amidst rainy conditions. However, despite the dramatic first half and Kikau’s absence, the Bulldogs ultimately dominated the second half, finishing the game with a decisive 30-12 victory, including a late try from Lachlan Galvin.
Throughout the match, notable players including Burton, Moses, Stephen Crichton, Max King, Zac Lomax, and Kurt Mann all contributed to the thrilling encounter, which served as a precursor to upcoming State of Origin selections.