Canberra coach Ricky Stuart says the four sin-binnings across the NRL semi-finals are a lesson for players involved in this week’s preliminary finals.
Melbourne captain Cameron Smith (slap), South Sydney playmaker (Cody Walker (slap) and Manly’s Brad Parker (tripping) and Jake Trobojevic (professional foul) were all given 10 minutes in the bin – with the Sea Eagles’ proving particularly costly as the Rabbitohs beat them and advanced to face the Raiders on Friday.
Canberra have had three players sin-binned this season, while winger Nick Cotric was the first player sent off in 2019 for a dangerous throw in round 17.
Stuart said his men will have taken lessons from the matches during week three of the finals series as the Green Machine attempt to qualify for their first grand final since 1994.
“They’re smart enough; they understand it’s very important in any game of football, let alone a big match, to be really disciplined and I’m sure over the weekend has been a learning curve for everybody,” Stuart said on Monday.
“You don’t want to put that pressure on your teammates.
“There are certain reactions and things, like the Trobejevic decision, a muscle memory thing there, it’s a reaction and an unfortunate one.
“But there are others that are a choice and they’re the ones that can really hurt your team.”
The Raiders were the third-most penalised side in the NRL this season, behind Manly and Penrith.