New South Wales player Keeley Davis has lodged a formal complaint with referee Belinda Sharpe regarding an alleged eye gouging incident involving an unidentified player from Queensland. The incident reportedly took place just before Isabelle Kelly scored a spectacular try, while Davis was engaged in a hit-up against Sienna Lofipo and Keilee Joseph.
Upon her return from the tackle, Davis appeared to be in discomfort and signalled toward her face, indicating she may have been the victim of foul play. However, the specific player involved in the alleged act remains unclear. Despite this, Davis chose to quickly resume the game with a tap and make a dash toward the line instead of pressing the issue.
Phil Gould, commenting on the situation during the broadcast, highlighted the ongoing dialogue between the players and the referee while Jesse Southwell was preparing to take a conversion kick. He noted that the player accused of the incident had not been named. Davis was reportedly asked multiple times if she wished to pursue the matter, demonstrating her determination to address the violation.
Referee Sharpe later confirmed that the incident would be recorded for further review.
This incident unfolded amidst the excitement of the 2025 Women’s State of Origin, with fans encouraged to watch the series live on Nine and stream it via 9Now. Further developments regarding the situation are anticipated.