Broncos toed the line tonight.
PVL sent out a clear message, and as pointed out, Broncs had 3 penalties for head-highs in the first half already - Gamble was one of them from memory, and 4th head high tackle is a 10-min sin bin.
They can't just announce they are protecting players and that players will be sent off (I read that as red card to be honest) during the week, then let them slide on game-day. Credibility would be shot - and PVL has too much ego to lose cred.
Whilst I agree Gambles binning in particular was a rough call for the kid, it was a repeat offence - have a look at how many Brisbane players went on report that game! 5 I think, maybe 6. Some people get sent to the bin for mild ruck infringements because their team-mates have perpetrated repeatedly beforehand.
If it ruins the spectacle, then Broncos can blame themselves for playing dumb (in the case of Riki) or playing careless (in the case of Gamble). Walters to his credit didn't try and use that to obscure the weak performance of the Broncos - and face it, they were poor tonight after the 20min mark.
The game was well won before that binning happened - the SinBins just opened up the door to the abattoir, where we dutifully carved them into tender rib-eye fillets.
And wasn't it just glorious to behold 😀
Next week, it will hopefully be a lesson on how to skin an Eel and decorate your sushi rolls!