Parramatta is reportedly furious after Melbourne’s Nelson Asofa-Solomona escaped with a fine for a high shot on Eels forward Makahesi Makatoa during Saturday night’s match.
The Eels’ 28-24 win has been overshadowed by the slap on the wrist for Asofa-Solomona, who collected the head of Makatoa with a swinging arm.
The Storm enforced was charged by the match review committee with a grade one careless high tackle, meaning he’ll be fined just $1000 for an early guilty plea.
READ MORE: Verstappen wins thriller as Ricciardo bombs out
READ MORE: Kyrgios wins in Miami, blasts former great
READ MORE: Tigers great denies abusing coach during loss
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the Eels are privately fuming at the decision of the match review committee, with the club awaiting an explanation from NRL head of football Graham Annesley at his weekly media briefing on Monday afternoon.
“Into the back of the head. Is that not a sin-bin?” Michael Ennis said on the Fox League broadcast.
“It’s direct contact to the back of the head. It’s a swinging arm … and he’s had time to plant himself and think about it. It’s deliberate.”
Asofa-Solomona is now free to play in Melbourne’s round four match against the Bulldogs.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
Backstories and controversies behind all the Clive Churchill Medal winners of the NRL era
