The issue with send-offs in the NRL

SEN’s Joel Caine has urged the NRL to change its send-off system as his former club the Wests Tigers were reduced to 12 men in a competitive 48-30 loss over the North Queensland Cowboys.

Justin Olam was sent from the field in the 49th minute after a high shot on Cowboys forward Heilum Luki, a moment that all but secured a win for the visitors despite only being ahead by six points.

The incident marks the fourth time a player has been sent off in a game for a high shot, with the most infamous occurrence coming in Game I of State of Origin where Joseph Sua’ali’i was given his marching orders just seven minutes in.

“My personal view is exactly what I had with Suaalii, unfortunately I do agree, they had to be sent off and removed from the game,” Caine said on SEN 1170 The Run Home.

“Because it could’ve been so easy for Justin Olam to have broken the jaw of Heilum Luki, it could’ve easily happened, therefore that takes him out for the season.

“He didn’t come back on the field, he left after 52 minutes and did not come back to the field.”

Caine suggested his idea to help make send-offs fairer for the fans, which would allow teams to level the playing field after a 10-minute period.

“Where I think we’re getting it wrong as a game is when you send a player off, everyone may as well walk off the field, the game is done,” Caine added.

“The other problem with it is there is an inequality in the penalty if Justin Olam does 10 minutes into the game or 10 minutes to go, he’s done the same act but the penalty in theory is different.

“My solution to this which is the same I had for Sua’ali’i, unfortunately Joseph and Olam with that act, in my opinion, are gone for the game but the team’s only down to 10 men for 10 minutes.

“After that 10-minute period you can spend an interchange to get another player on the field, that to me for the fans would be a far better outcome.”