Ryan Papenhuyzen avoids $1500 fine after Bunker's late report decision
Ryan Papenhuyzen has been found not guilty by the NRL judiciary after he was charged for a tackle missed by the referee and commentators alike.
The Storm fullback was put on report for a tackle on Dolphins centre Jake Averillo in the 77th minute of their clash.
On the fifth tackle, Melbourne coughed up the ball with Averillo getting on the outside of Papenhuyzen.
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The fullback was unable to claim Averillo with a clean tackle as his arm swung around his chest but the centre ended up on the ground. Papenhuyzen then landed on his rival with his elbow appearing to be close to his head.
Ryan Papenhuyzen was placed on report for this tackle. Nine
Play continued on and the Storm went on to score three minutes later.
Before Papenhuyzen lined up his conversion, referee Todd Smith put him on report.
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Nine's commentators were none the wiser as to why he'd been punished.
Papenhuyzen was charged with grade one dangerous contact and offered a $1000 fine but pleaded not guilty. The fine would've been $1500 if he was found guilty at the judiciary.
Earlier, Toafofoa Sipley copped a different outcome when he was handed a four-match ban for a hip-drop tackle.
