Panthers star Scott Sorensen has failed in his bid at the NRL judiciary and will now serve a three-game suspension for a shoulder charge.
The 32-year-old was seeking a downgrade from a grade two charge, but the panel upheld the original ruling from the match review committee.
Sorensen and teammate Dylan Edwards were both charged by the match review committee after a wild clash against Manly on Saturday night.
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Minutes before half time, the hosts kicked off with Nathan Brown running from the back fence at CommBank Stadium directly into Sorensen in a brutal collision.
Sorensen was immediately penalised as players from both sides ran in, before on-field official Belinda Sharpe put him in the bin.
Scott Sorensen was sin binned for this tackle on Nathan Brown. Fox League
“Unpopular opinion here, I love that collision,” Andrew Voss said on Fox League.
Kevin Walters added: “That’s what the fans come to see”.
During the half-time break, Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga saw it differently.
“Unfortunately Sorensen got it wrong … and deserved 10 minutes in the bin,” he said.
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Edwards also found himself in trouble during the first half after a trip on Tommy Talau.
The representative fullback ran across to the left wing, trying to stop Talau from scoring the corner, and his right foot collected the waist of the Manly winger.
The fullback was placed on report, but no further action was taken at the time.
“Sin bin for tripping is long gone,” Andrew Voss said.
Dylan Edwards was placed on report for a trip. Fox League
Edwards was hit with a $750 fine after pleading guilty.
Despite the four-time champs playing at home, Manly fired early in the first half with Reuben Garrick scoring in the fifth minute.
Talau then crossed in the 18th minute before Isaiah Papali’i was put on report for a leg lift, leading to a penalty goal and a 14-0 score at half time.
Casey McLean was also put on report earlier for high contact on Tom Trbojevic, which has resulted in a $1000 fine for a grade one careless high tackle.
In the second half, Penrith came out of the sheds on fire with two tries to Blaize Talagi and Izack Tago setting up a potential comeback.
The sin bin carnage continued when Manly veteran Taukeiaho was given his marching orders for a high tackle on Isaiah Papali’i.
Siosiua Taukeiaho is sin binned Fox League
Minutes later, Paul Alamoti was also gone for a professional foul.
The 12 on 12 situation kicked Manly into gear with the lead pushing to 26-10 after a penalty goal and tries for Haumole Olakau’atu and Tolutau Koula.
The score didn’t change from there as Manly snapped a three-game losing streak, while the Panthers slumped to the bottom of the table.
Among the players on report, Corey Waddell and Isaah Yeo joined them, but neither were charged by the match review committee.
Phil Gould summed up a chaotic night of action on social media.
