Cowboys v Sharks: Fans slam decision to sin bin Reece Robson in controversial end to Cowboys-Sharks clash

The controversial sin-binning of Reece Robson in the dying moments of Friday night’s Cowboys-Sharks clash has left NRL fans irate.

In the latest incident to infuriate fans surrounding the NRL’s high-tackle crackdown, Robson was sent to the bin with three minutes to go in the match for a high tackle on Cronulla’s Aiden Tolman. 

The Sharks held a 26-12 lead with just over ten minutes to go in the second half before two quick Kyle Feldt tries gave the Cowboys a sniff. 

At 26-24, the Cowboys had all the momentum and the Sharks were struggling to get off their own line. 

However, the Sharks received a penalty and a man advantage after Robson was sent from the field for the tackle. 

On further inspection, it seemed pretty straightforward that Robson was attempting to tackle Tolman around the legs. 

Because the Sharks forward was falling, Robson’s shoulder made contact with his head. While it looked like a clear penalty, the use of the sin-bin left fans bemused.

Tolman was forced off for his second HIA assessment for the match. Cronulla were then able to close out the game and gain an important two points. 

In adjudicating the incident, referee Peter Gough said that the tackle was “careless” and left him no choice but to sin-bin Robson.

“Direct contact with the head,” Gough said.

“It is careless, there is force there. I understand where you are coming from but it is how it has to be at the moment.”

Despite a number of highlight plays, including another standout performance from Sharks fullback Will Kennedy, the main talking point out of the match was the sin-bin. 

Fans took to Twitter, dismayed at how The Bunker came to the decision. 

Former NRL player Ashton Sims in particular was left scratching his head. 

“I hate to say it, but we are well & truly saying goodbye to the blue collared nature our game was built on!!” Sims tweeted. 

“No way was that a sin bin!!”

On the match as a whole, Cowboys coach Todd Payten was left “frustrated” at the basic errors his side produced. 

In particular, he felt that they went back to some of the concerning traits they showed during their slow start to the season. 

“Really frustrated because, in the end, we didn’t deserve to win,” Payten said. 

“We had some inside-40 errors and can’t back that up by defending our own line. 

“I’m as frustrated as anyone because it’s almost like a broken record of the first six weeks. 

It was an important win for the Sharks who have now put together four straight wins. 

After tonight’s victory, Cronulla leapfrog the Cowboys into the top eight and sit in seventh place. 

The Sharks have a great run home, facing only two other top eight teams for the rest of the home-and-away season. 

They take on the Broncos next Sunday afternoon as they look to extend their winning streak.