Emotions are always high when 80 minutes away from a Grand Final and that was certainly the case this weekend.
North Queensland were left frustrated in defeat to Parramatta who seemingly scored their first try of the game from a suspected forward pass from Mitchell Moses.
Meanwhile, the other semi-final saw South Sydney take a 12-0 lead only for the reigning Premiers Penrith Panthers to score 32 unanswered points to return to a third consecutive Grand Final where they’ll meet the Eels.
However, the drama didn’t end at fulltime with Souths five-eighth Cody Walker who has previously been criticised for his temper needing to be pulled away from Penrith trainer Pete Green at fulltime as the two engaged in a fiery verbal exchange however South officials believe that Walker was entirely justified.
According to the Daily Mail, Green spent the game targeting former Penrith backrow Jed Cartwright with a series of verbals about a back injury he sustained at the club which Walker and other people from Souths took exception to.
The incident that sparked everything is believed to have occurred with just over 10 minutes to go when Cartwright tackled Penrith’s star fullback Dylan Edwards.
Nonetheless, according to the Daily Mail, an unnamed Souths official has described the behaviour as “the height of disrespect.”
This official reportedly said: “When you’re in a privileged position, you should never speak to another player from an opposition team let alone say the things that were said.
“It’s the height of disrespect.”
It’s an unwanted story distracting from an exciting NRL Grand Final between Penrith and Parramatta.
