Canterbury Bulldogs utility Jaeman Salmon was lucky to walk away with only a facial injury after his late hit on the Warriors’ Te Maire Martin went unpunished.
With the clock winding down and both teams level at 12-12, the Warriors had the ball deep in Bulldogs territory and had shaped up for a field goal attempt.
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In his desperation to close down Martin, Salmon came flying in and laid a big shot on the Warriors star.
However, replays showed Salmon hit Martin after he had passed the ball away and could have been penalised for the late shot.
Instead, the Bulldogs man was left looking worse for wear as blood continued to pour out of his mouth.
Salmon was subsequently forced off the field as he walked away gingerly holding his jaw.
Had the referee called Salmon on the late hit, it would have gifted the Warriors a penalty and the chance for a shot at goal from around the 20 metre line which could have won them the game.
The incident was missed at the time and received no further investigation from the Bunker.
However, Brisbane Broncos legend Corey Parker and Fox League commentator Andrew Voss were baffled as to how Salmon escaped unpunished.
“I’m worried about both players here,” Voss said.
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“There may be a case to answer here,” Parker replied.
“The ball had been passed. He (Martin) has passed that well and truly before.”
Once the Bunker cleared the incident, Parker was stunned.
“I don’t understand how that’s clear,” Parker said.
“Both players are grabbing their face. How is that clear? How is that clear?”
The Bulldogs went on to win the clash 13-12 thanks to a Matt Burton field goal in the second period of golden point.