Chaos as 11-men Warriors sink with star facing sanction

Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will await his fate with the match review committee after he was sin binned for a high shot off the ball on Melbourne Storm counterpart Grant Anderson during the latter’s win.

Watene-Zelezniak’s act in the 60th minute left the home side down to 11-men after Marcelo Montoya was given his marching orders earlier for a professional foul.

“It’s been consistent with what we’ve seen,” league great Corey Parker said on Fox League of the decision on Watene-Zelezniak

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“It’s not intentional, he’s going up to make the play … he gets it wrong, and left the ground.”

Commentator Andrew Voss described the tackle as a “clothesline”.

At the time of Montoya’s departure, the Storm led 20-18, however, it became 32-18 when Watene-Zelezniak returned.

Both sin bins came on an ill-disciplined night with Melbourne Storm forward Eliesa Katoa the first to be put on report for a dangerous tackle.

In the 7th minute, Katoa went to put kick pressure on Warriors half Te Maire Martin, but collected a boot to his face before Martin fell to the ground.

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The second-rower was immediately penalised – and despite protest from Harry Grant – was put on report by referee Gerard Sutton.

“It’s dangerous contact,” Sutton said.

Parker described the incident as “clunky”.

“He just got mixed up, it was clunky there from Katoa … he’s going in there with self preservation, not trying to get his head into it however he just makes contact, as we’ve come to learn this year you just can’t do that,” he said on Fox League.

The Warriors started strong at home, leading 14-0 after tries to Adam Pompey and Marcelo Montoya along with a penalty goal for Pompey.

Melbourne fought back strong though, running in four unanswered tries as Katoa, Grant Anderson, Dean Ieremia and Nick Meaney all scored, giving the side a 20-14 lead at half-time.

Warriors forward Mitch Barnett scored five minutes after the break to make it 20-18.

Martin was then placed on report himself for a high shot, leaving Parker confused why he remained on the field.

“If that’s hit him plush on the chin (it should be a sin bin), we saw Jordan Riki spend time in the bin last night for the Broncos up against the Rabbitohs … for the punters at home, they’d be thinking when Jordan Riki spent time in the bin,” he said.

Montoya’s sin bin then followed three minutes later before Storm fullback Sualauvi Faalogo scored.

Xavier Coates added another try in the 62nd minute to make it 32-18.

Montoya then kept his side in the game, scoring in the 74th minute but it was Faalogo going over for his second right on full-time that put the result beyond doubt at 38-24.