Daly Cherry-Evans admits he has some sympathy for defenders who rush out of the line and hit playmakers late after he wore several body blows in Manly's win over Melbourne.
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Cherry-Evans starred in the Sea Eagles' 18-8 victory on Friday night, controlling the match for Manly despite being flattened by Justin Olam and Tui Kamikamica.
For his shot on the Manly captain, Kamikamica was charged with grade-two dangerous contact and can accept a two-match ban, or risk missing three games by pleading his case at the judiciary.
Like Kamikamica, Olam found himself sin-binned for his hit but has escaped with a grade-one dangerous contact charge and an $1800 fine.
Manly winger Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega was sin-binned for a late shot on Cameron Munster and can accept a two-match ban for his grade-two dangerous contact charge. He will miss three games if he unsuccessfully appeals against the punishment.
Storm second-rower Trent Loiero was twice placed on report and faces a $1000 fine for his high shot on Tom Trbojevic, while Jake Trbojevic has escaped scrutiny for a lifting tackle on Munster behind the play.
The issue of late shots on halves continues to be a significant one, with fouls on playmakers making up a significant portion of the 41 sin bins in 50 games this year.
The rules are in place to protect halves, with Andrew Johns having been vocal on the need for the NRL to eradicate the habit of hitting playmakers after they have relaxed from the game.
But Cherry-Evans admitted he had some level of sympathy for defenders trying to pressure halves like him.
"The game is protecting halfbacks and ball-players in general," Cherry-Evans said.
"I do feel a little sympathetic to people who try and do what they are asked, which is put pressure on ball players.
"But that's our game. You just have to make sure you get it right, otherwise there are repercussions."
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy had less sympathy for his players, frustrated by poor behaviour leaving his team down to 12 men twice in the second half.
"I don't know what planet they are on," Bellamy said.
"You just can't do that these days. You just can't hit ball-players late with any force at all.
"We played half the second half with 12 men, that is hard work. And then, when they had 12 men in the second half, we couldn't get out of our own 20."
Storm captain Christian Welch also hit out at the behaviour of his team, labelling it as "stupid s**t".
Meanwhile, Sydney Roosters second-rower Nat Butcher can accept a one-match ban for his hip-drop tackle on Briton Nikora in Friday's earlier game.
Another Rooster sent for 10 minutes, hooker Brandon Smith, faces a $3000 fine for his high shot on Cameron McInnes in the final minutes of the game.
Australian Associated Press
