'I didn't do anything dirty': Former NRL player's emotional post after sickening send-off act

Former Manly outside back Alfred Smalley has hit out at alleged threats directed at his family after he was sent off in a NSW Cup game at the weekend.

Smalley was sent off in the final minute of the Eels' NSW Cup game against the Warriors after sprinting out of the defensive line and flooring Warriors fullback Taine Tuaupiki.

The Warriors No.1 was assisted from the field and then failed a head injury assessment.

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Smalley was later hit with a five-game ban for a grade three careless high tackle in what multiple commentators and pundits called a "dog shot".

Days later, Smalley took to Instagram to explain himself and defend his actions.

"With everything that's been said in the media I'd be lying if I said it hasn't affected me in any way," he began.

"Been trying to get my head right after all the noise... those who know me personally know that I ain't a dirty player nor would I try to put a dog shot on anyone. I love to jam, if you didn't grow up watching Steve Matai or Jorge Taufua then you probably wouldn't get me.

"Please go and watch the whole game because I didn't only try and shoot out the line and put a shot on the smallest player that game. At the time did I think it was a clean shot? Of course I did.. but moving that fast in one motion many things can go wrong.

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"I misjudged it and I'll own that.. but what I won't own is the part where I seen him knocked out cold and landed with both my elbows on his head... please can someone show me in the video where I did that?

"I didn't do anything dirty nor did I say anything malicious to him because as I said I thought it was clean... I realised I was wrong and after I was sent off I ran up to him and apologised as we both walked off the field.

"Funny enough when I went to see my family he was with his family next to mine... they came up to me and told me it was a great hit and they seen nothing wrong with it... I apologised to them as well and they kept saying it was a clean hit.

"So for all of you complaining it's a sickening act maybe you should go and watch soccer or netball... this is a contact sport, high speed collisions happen all the time.

"I'll own it and whatever consequence I get... but what I won't stand for is being labelled a dirty player and have threats made towards me and my family."

Smalley, 25, played two NRL games for Manly in 2022.

Tuaupiki, who's also 25, has played 20 first-grade matches for the Warriors and is contracted to the club until the end of 2026.