Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Ciraldo question Bunker's call as Jacob Preston sin-binned for late shot
Updated . First published at
Jacob Preston's sin bin during the Dolphins-Bulldogs clash caught the ire of Johnathan Thurston and coach Cameron Ciraldo after the Dogs second-rower was sent for a late shot in the first half.
Preston put a big hit on Isaiya Katoa as the Dolphins halfback passed with his back to the defence.
The Dolphins reacted aggressively with Tom Gilbert in the face of Preston.
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Tom Gilbert eyes off Jacob Preston. Nine
"Look at them (his eyes), they're rolling," Thurston said on Nine.
Preston's fate was sealed when the Bunker reviewed the tackle as he was asked to speak with referee Grant Atkins.
Atkins told the Dogs forward his tackle was "completely unnecessary" and had an "elevated risk of force".
Cameron Ciraldo reacts to the sin bin. Nine
Thurston pleaded "aw no" as Preston was called out by the referee.
"I'm in disagreeance there," he said as the sin bin call was made.
"You can see it's only a minimal, he just passed it before he made contact. I think they got that call wrong."
Post-match, Ciraldo considered his thoughts for a few seconds before delivering his verdict.
"I don't know what you want him to do," he said.
"Katoa's got the ball, he's going to tackle him and then he releases it a millisecond before he hits him. I don't know. I don't understand it."
Jacob Preston's hit on Isaiya Katoa. Nine
Preston's departure came when the Bulldogs were leading 12-8 with three minutes left in the half.
The Dolphins capitalised on Preston's absence, attacking down the edge with the Bulldogs caught short on numbers as Jamayne Isaako scored his second to seal a 14-12 half-time lead.
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At the break, Cameron Smith explained the sin bin was the reality of how the game is officiated today.
"The game, it just doesn't cop it anymore ... any late contact when they're unaware, it's automatically to the sin bin," he said.
"A lot of people could say a little bit harsh but that's where the game is now."
After the break the Dolphins continued to make Preston pay as Isaako went over for a hat-trick.
The return of Preston didn't stop the Dolphins rout with Jeremy Marshall-King, Jack Bostock, Kodi Nikorima and Selwyn Cobbo all scoring. The Dolphins finished 44-12.
