'In trouble': Sharks star Jesse Ramien faces nervous wait over 'heavy' hit in fiery Manly clash
Updated . First published at
Cronulla's Jesse Ramien is in hot water after a brutal shot on Karl Lawton saw tensions spill in the club's 40-20 victory over Manly.
The Manly backrower, who was seemingly tackled by Nicho Hynes, was given the all clear to play on before being brought down by a legs tackle from Blayke Brailey.
Tensions boiled as Lawton hit the turf however after Ramien collected the Sea Eagles star high, sparking a melee to break out with Tommy Talau in the middle of it.
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"That was big, heavy contact. The Bunker will look at this," Cooper Cronk said on Fox League.
"If there is any contact with Lawton's chin, Jesse Ramien is in trouble."
Jesse Ramien was placed on report for this tackle on Karl Lawton. Fox League
But much to the dismay of Lawton's teammates, Ramien escaped the sin bin and was placed on report for the contact, with on-field official Adam Gee stating that "mitigating circumstances" was the reason behind the call.
"We understand that it's chest not head and Blayke (Brailey) contributes to the mitigation so that's why it's on report," he told Ramien and skipper Hynes.
Minutes later, Ronaldo Mulitalo rectified his own rare error and steps inside Toluta'u Koula to extend the Sharks' lead.
Daniel Atkinson and Briton Nikora followed to extend the margin to 26, while Ramien displayed troubling signs as he came to the bench with an ankle complaint.
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Earlier, Tolu Koula set up Tommy Talau to put his side on top, showing his class in the absence of regular fullback Tom Trbojevic.
"I love the footwork here from Koula," Cronk said.
"Jesse Ramien comes out and he just bounces and gets a beautiful flick pass away."
Nathan Brown is penalised for a late tackle on Braydon Trindall. Fox League
Clayton Faulalo extended the lead for the Sea Eagles, but their fast start fell apart as Ronaldo Mulitalo and Tom Hazelton scored before the break.
There was a puzzling moment amid the chaos involving Nathan Brown, with the experienced enforcer penalised for a late tackle on Braydon Trindall.
Replays showed a rather soft hit from Brown, which left Cronk surprised.
"He's been penalised for a very late cuddle," he said.
