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Moses’ season over, Edwards injured and 10 charged: The cost of fiery Origin decider
By Christian Nicolussi, Dan Walsh and Michael Chammas
The NRL has issued a record $26,100 in fines, and up to six matches in suspensions, after 10 players were hit with a record 11 charges from Wednesday night’s State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium.
It comes as the Blues begin to feel the toll of their epic series decider victory with Mitchell Moses set to miss the rest of the season with a biceps injury and fullback Dylan Edwards suffering a suspected torn PCL.
Seven players were charged by the match review committee for the wild melee that spilled over the touchline half an hour into NSW’s eventual 14-4 win.
Haumole Olakau’atu and Cameron Murray were hit the hardest with grade-three contrary conduct because Olakau’atu was not even playing – he was 19th man for NSW – and Murray ran a long way off the bench to get involved. They are facing two-match bans, or three games should they contest the charges and lose at the judiciary.
Blues winger Brian To’o, and Queensland trio Reuben Cotter, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Jeremiah Nanai were slugged 13 per cent of their $30,000 match fee, or $3900.
Three other players, Payne Haas, Felise Kaufusi and Matt Burton, who was NSW’s 18th man, were slugged seven per cent of their fee, or $2100. Burton was seen trying to break up players.
Mitchel Moses celebrates with his daughter Aspyn.Credit: Getty Images
Kurt Capewell was hit with two charges for separate offences, including a lifting tackle on Stephen Crichton but can also escape with fines.
Moses confirmed he had played his last game for Parramatta this season because of a biceps injury while Penrith are expected to be without Edwards for up to a month due to a knee injury.
Moses ruptured his right bicep when trying to tackle Tabuai-Fidow just four minutes before full-time. He tried to defend the next Queensland set before coming from the field.
Dylan Edwards is treated mid-game for a suspected PCL tear.Credit: Getty
Moses told this masthead his season was over, a blow to him and the Eels, who are battling with the Wests Tigers to avoid the wooden spoon.
“The bicep is gone,” Moses said.
“It’s tough. It’s bittersweet. My season is over now. I’ll focus on next year. But it’s not a bad way to go out.
“I had my foot [injury] at the start of the year, but I came back, and I knew I just needed to get some games under my belt before getting back on to this arena.
“To put in an effort for NSW and to do this … I wanted to come back and try to get this done. Now we’ve done it.
Cameron Murray runs into a sea of Maroons players to fight from the bench.
“It’s a dream come true. You dream about those moments coming up here for a decider, and to win the series; it’s the best ever.”
Moses appeared to injure his knee early in the second half, and was hobbling for several minutes, but said he only jammed it, and it was more a case of a “bit of carry on”.
The halfback stepped past Reece Walsh to score the Blues’ second try, which all but ensured the NSW victory.
Former NSW great turned commentator Andrew Johns could not have been prouder of Moses, and said that try to step past Walsh “is a moment they’ll talk about in 100 years’ time”.
While Moses’ season is over, Edwards is expected to be sidelined for up to three weeks after he suffered a knee injury early in the second half.
Blues’ doctor Nathan Gibbs confirmed Edwards had torn his posterior cruciate ligament, but the fact he could finish the game was a positive.
Edwards will go for scans on Thursday, and will not play for the premiers against the Dolphins on Sunday.
“Dylan injured his right knee early in the second half, he hit the turf and tore his PCL – but it was a great credit to him he was able to play on with it,” Gibbs said.
“When you lose a back, it’s hard to cover on the interchange bench. But he played extremely well. He was able to put the pain behind him and perform well. Some players can do it, but many can’t.
“Normally it’s a four to six-week injury. But the fact he was able to keep playing and finish the game, it might be two to three weeks [he is out].”
The injury to Edwards paves the way for Daine Laurie to move into the Panthers’ custodian role for the next few weeks.
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