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Titans centre Brian Kelly was sent off for lifting Knights winger Dominic Young into a frightening position during Gold Coast’s win on Sunday afternoon.
But Paul Vautin slammed the referee’s decision, arguing a send-off was not warranted.
Kelly went low to tackle Young in the 51st minute and got it horribly wrong.
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The Englishman wasn’t harmed but referee Ben Cummins, after consulting with the Bunker, sent Kelly for an early shower as his team continued on to grab a 36-26 win on the Gold Coast.
“I’m without speech. I’m speechless,” Vautin said on Nine’s coverage.
“It was an ordinary tackle, but it doesn’t deserve a send-off.”
Cameron Smith also claimed a send-off was too harsh a punishment.
“I was thinking 10 minutes in the bin for Brian Kelly, but he will take no further part in today’s action,” Smith said.
Stream the NRL premiership 2022 live and free on 9Now.
Knights unravel as Titans son of a gun shines
Kelly became the player sent off in the NRL since Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary, who was marched from the field after performing a spear tackle on Eels five-eighth Dylan Brown.
Last year’s Dally M Medal winner was slapped with a five-game ban, ruling him out until week one of the finals series.
The Titans are awaiting the match review committee’s call on Kelly’s tackle, but the 26-year-old’s season is undoubtedly over.
The Titans will meet the Warriors at Auckland’s Mt Start Stadium next Saturday afternoon in their last game of the season.
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