Parramatta Eels halfback and New South Wales Blues playmaker Mitchell Moses has strongly criticised the NRL Match Review Committee (MRC) after teammate Dylan Brown was suspended for a collision with referee Gerard Sutton.
The incident occurred during the King’s Birthday Monday clash against the Canterbury Bulldogs, which the Bulldogs won.
Brown, contesting a loose ball, ran into referee Sutton in what many considered an accidental collision.
Just a day earlier, Jarome Luai was involved in a similar incident during the Penrith Panthers’ win over the Wests Tigers, but the NSW Blues five-eighth escaped without charge.
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Brown was hit with a Grade 2 contrary conduct charge, resulting in a one-match ban.
The Parramatta Eels five-eighth accepted an early guilty plea, ruling him out of the Eels’ next match following their bye week.
From NSW State of Origin camp, where he is preparing for Game 2 in Perth next Wednesday, Moses blasted the decision and the MRC’s handling of recent incidents.
“I don't understand it,” Moses said.
“He's competing for the ball, he's got his eyes up for the ball. I don't know what you want him to do, stop competing and pull out of the play? Obviously the ref is there but it's a hard one.
The judiciary is probably just making up their own charges at the moment. It's all over the shop," the halfback continued.
The suspension has sparked backlash from fans and commentators, who argue Brown’s focus was clearly on the ball and that referee Sutton changed his path into Brown’s running line.
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The Eels will now be without Brown for their Round 16 clash against the Gold Coast Titans, a major blow as the club looks to get back on track after a tough season.
Brown’s ban wasn’t the only judiciary decision under fire.
Zac Hosking was charged for what appeared to be an accidental crusher tackle, while Moses Leota went unpunished for a crusher tackle involving a lift and drop motion, adding to the growing frustration over the NRL’s inconsistency in rulings.