Newcastle Knights firebrand Jack Hetherington was sin binned for slapping an opposition participant for the second time in three video games.
The Knights secured a a lot wanted 34-18 win over the Wests Tigers at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday evening to maintain their finals hopes alive.
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The Bunker denied the Tigers a sure strive within the early phases, ruling there was a ahead cross within the lead-up to Tommy Talau’s strive — although clear for all to see the ball went backwards.
Newcastle made the many of the name, scoring three tries within the area minutes via Greg Marzhew, Bradman Best and Dominic Young to take an early lead.
The Tigers fought again with tries to Jahream Bula and Api Koroisau to path 18-12 at halftime.
Early within the second half, Hetherington was caught in a excessive sort out, giving the Knights a penalty.
He wasn’t proud of the contact and bought into some argy bargy with Tigers five-eighth Will Smith, who had some phrases for Hetherington.
The Knights ahead couldn’t hold his cool and took the bait, slapping Smith within the face and the referee had no option to ship him to the sin bin.
Fox League’s Dan Ginnane stated: “You’ve got Will Smith out of his weight division.
“Oh hello. Have they sucked Hetherington into something here? Little clip from Smith.
“Will Smith thinks it’s a punch and 10 in the bin. It’s an open handed slap. 10 for a slap. They baited him and he took the bait.”
Cooper Cronk stated: “As soon as the referee blew the whistle, Will Smith was clapping as if Jack Hetherington’s in trouble.
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“Complete unnecessary from Jack Hetherington. Whether you agree or not, there is absolutely no way Jack Hetherington should react in that way.”
The Tigers outscored the Knights 6-4 whereas Hetherington was within the sin bin.
Fans slammed Hetherington and had some enjoyable with the face it was a person named Will Smith who was on the receiving finish of a slap this time.
News Corp’s Martin Gabor tweeted: “Hetherington did the same thing against Penrith. Same result. Inexcusable stuff.”
Hetherington’s newest sin bin comes simply weeks after he slapped Penrith’s Izack Tago “across the earhole” in Newcastle’s loss to the Panthers.
The incident provides to an extended listing of indiscretions all through Hetherthington’s profession.
The Knights survived the sin bin as Kalyn Ponga produced one other masterclass from fullback, although he left his goalkicking boots at residence.
Ponga, Young and Tyson Gamble ran in second half tries to safe a comparatively comfy win to maintain Newcastle’s faint finals hopes alive.
Source: www.foxsports.com.au