Hazelton cops ban for act that caused Sharks coach to punch monitor
Updated . First published
Junior Paulo and Tom Hazelton have learned their fate with the match review committee after they were both sin binned for hip-drop tackles in Cronulla’s shock loss to the Eels.
Paulo was able to escape with an $1800 fine for his ugly tackle on Addin Fonua-Blake, while Hazelton has been slapped with a one-game ban for his actions.
Junior Paulo’s hip-drop tackle on Addin Fonua-Blake. Nine
Paulo’s incident came first with the Eels leading 12-0 after 12 minutes. Addin Fonua-Blake took a hit-up and was taken down by Paulo.
The hulking Sharks prop immediately grabbed at his knee and was limping around the field, but play was allowed to continue for another four tackles.
Ashley Klein then stopped play as he received advice from the Bunker before Paulo was binned.
“No, no,” Eels captain Mitchell Moses yelled at Klein. His protest didn’t help at all.
“He does twist and put pressure on Fonua-Blake,” Billy Slater said on Nine.
Paulo and Fonua-Blake then gave each other an embrace before the latter left the field too with a possible MCL sprain.
The prop can fight his fine at the judiciary but will risk getting a $2,500 fine if he is found guilty.
Paulo’s departure didn’t hurt the Eels, with a penalty goal adding two points minutes later to make it 14-0.
Upon his return to the field, the Sharks managed to finally get on the board through Sione Katoa on the wing.
By half-time, the mayhem for Cronulla had continued with the Eels leading 26-6.
Fonua-Blake returned to the field in the 50th minute without strapping on his knee.
The Sharks managed to stage a fightback with the score 26-18 heading into the final 10 minutes.
However, a terrible hip-drop from Hazelton on a runaway Ronald Volkman ruined all that momentum in the 74th minute.
“Oh that’s a bad one,” Andrew Johns said.
Hazelton had no objections when he was sin binned as the replay showed Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon punching a monitor in the box.
Craig Fitzgibbon unleashes his fury on a monitor. Nine
“I’ve never seen Craig Fitzgibbon react the way he did,” Slater said.
“That’s a telling sign he’s got real concern over his footy team.”
If Hazelton and the Sharks are to fight his ban, he could risk missing round 27 and the side’s elimination final.
Fitzgibbon’s concern was only heightened by Tallyn Da Silva scoring two late tries to make it a 36-18 victory for the Eels.
