POST GAME 2026 State of Origin

[The Strapper]

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I would like to think Im not a biased qlder but I reckon if I was shown this and it was tedesco I would be saying.... meh he probably deserved to be sent lol feel bipolar.

Every single time I look at it Im less and less outraged. I mean what the **** are you doing mate haha. Walker had him. Just come over the top with your chest. I know its easy to say not on the field in the moment now but damn.

What footage did you get that picture from?
I watched the whole game on 9 and that incident again on foxtel and didn't see that angle anywhere.
Would love to be able to see the whole incident in real time and slow motion from that angle.

 

[Elbows]

NRL GM of elite competitions, Graham Annesley said

“The NRL supports Ashley Klein’s decision to send off Kalyn Ponga during State of Origin one,”

“This incident involved clear and forceful shoulder-to-head and head-to-head contact with no mitigating factors.

“Player safety is extremely important and the game will make no apology for taking strong action on foul play.

“The communication between the on-field referee and the Bunker official allowed for multiple views of the incident, live and on replay.

“Confirmation of direct, forceful shoulder-to-head contact through a shoulder charge action meant the referee decided the correct course of action was to dismiss the player.”

 

[Big Pete]

NRL GM of elite competitions, Graham Annesley said

“The NRL supports Ashley Klein’s decision to send off Kalyn Ponga during State of Origin one,”

“This incident involved clear and forceful shoulder-to-head and head-to-head contact with no mitigating factors.

“Player safety is extremely important and the game will make no apology for taking strong action on foul play.

“The communication between the on-field referee and the Bunker official allowed for multiple views of the incident, live and on replay.

“Confirmation of direct, forceful shoulder-to-head contact through a shoulder charge action meant the referee decided the correct course of action was to dismiss the player.”

 

[MrTickyMcG]

“The communication between the on-field referee and the Bunker official allowed for multiple views of the incident, live and on replay.

The communication allowed for multiple views of the incident, live..... that must be some special communication!

 

[JayPee]

What footage did you get that picture from?
I watched the whole game on 9 and that incident again on foxtel and didn't see that angle anywhere.
Would love to be able to see the whole incident in real time and slow motion from that angle.

Was on foxleague I think

 

[JayPee]

You cant judge the incident based on stills. I think everyone agrees it was a bin. Not many people think it was a send off really.

Im not sure about that. Depends where you are looking. Every 2nd comment I see think It was a send off. Thats not exactly surprising tbh. It is a state v state opinion.

 

[The Strapper]

NRL GM of elite competitions, Graham Annesley said

“The NRL supports Ashley Klein’s decision to send off Kalyn Ponga during State of Origin one,”

“This incident involved clear and forceful shoulder-to-head and head-to-head contact with no mitigating factors.

“Player safety is extremely important and the game will make no apology for taking strong action on foul play.

“The communication between the on-field referee and the Bunker official allowed for multiple views of the incident, live and on replay.

“Confirmation of direct, forceful shoulder-to-head contact through a shoulder charge action meant the referee decided the correct course of action was to dismiss the player.”

Naturally the NRL has double downed on this.
But the real point is Annesley didn't directly address what the bunker official actualy said.

“The communication between the on-field referee and the Bunker official allowed for multiple views of the incident, live and on replay.

That is code for "I know the bunker official didn't agree with klein but we will not publicly confirm that because it makes the NRL look like idiots and we have to be seen to be backing klein even though he was wrong because that incident changed the outcome of the game"

 

[The Strapper]

Was on foxleague I think

Thanks I'll try and check it out.

 

[The Strapper]

“The communication between the on-field referee and the Bunker official allowed for multiple views of the incident, live and on replay.

The communication allowed for multiple views of the incident, live..... that must be some special communication!

Yeah that part of Annesly's statement makes about as much sense as the decision itself.

 

[Wolfie]

Im not sure about that. Depends where you are looking. Every 2nd comment I see think It was a send off. Thats not exactly surprising tbh. It is a state v state opinion.

I could select a still that shows what i wanted it to. Its a contact sport, so inevitably, there will be contact and depending on the angle and the timing of the picture, its not difficult to make something look good or bad.

Its also not as black and white imo either when Walker is pulling him down. It all happens so quickly these days that if Ponga gets to him a fraction quicker, then its a totally different situation. I still think its a bin and not a send off. So many variables for and against a sending off though.

I think its becoming pretty obvious the bunker didnt agree with him, and even though they would have had a better view than him ( he was a long way from the play with players and also Ponga blocking a clear view ) he couldnt accept somebody else knowing better.

 

[Wolfie]

Simple thing now is for the NRL to just release the audio to stop the speculation. People might not like the decision, but if they are all on the same page about it there is less controversy.

 

[BroncsFan]

Koula's knee is on the ground, he is in the exact same position as Coates.

You're welcome to think they have nothing in common and both should be a sendoff; but I think they are similar and should have had a similar result. Which it turns out they did both a fine.

Im not saying they have nothing in common my comment was specifically around your commentary of the Walsh tackle because you bring it up all the time.

You compared the Walsh tackle to the one that Cleary did on Makasini in the trials and got binned for

 

[Wolfie]

Maybe people would have less problem with this if Radley didnt escape with not even a penalty for attacking Carrigan recklessly with his head, but then Ponga gets sent for his shot. Just give us some consistency.

 

[_wwong]

If only Walsh was picked for the bench. Could have come on for Ponga and allowed for hammer to stay out in the centres.

 

[BroncsFan]

Well if you think we are good things in game 2 you should be able to cash in with the bookies as we will be a good price.

I am certain NSW will be strong favourites and if Klein is the ref we will be well and truly up against it again.

There's not that much value on Qld... think they opened at like $2.13 or something.

I got onto Cleary player of the series at $5.30... he's already dropped to $2.70

 

[tommy]

Should never have taken the 2 when we were up 18-0. We had them on the ropes right then and there.

 

[Brocko]

Even if Walsh was on the bench Bill still woulda put Loiero on for a pointless stint after burning out both Capes and Nikora for no reason, while Cotter and Carrigan sat fresh on the bench.

He played Capewell at centre instead of putting the actual centre he had on the bench on, all to give Loiero a pointless stint.

 

[1910]

Im not saying they have nothing in common my comment was specifically around your commentary of the Walsh tackle because you bring it up all the time.

You compared the Walsh tackle to the one that Cleary did on Makasini in the trials and got binned for

Nope