South Sydney winger Taane Milne endured a nightmare at Accor Stadium and it ended with almost getting into a fight on the sideline.
Having already grassed one Nathan Cleary bomb and made another error at a crucial time in the 32-12 loss to Penrith, Milne’s worst moment by far came midway through the second half of the preliminary final.
Panthers forward Spencer Leniu made a stunning break up the middle of the field, and was charging his way towards Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell.
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Milne came from the side, though, and whacked Leniu across the head with a brutal swinging arm.
“He’s lucky he didn’t break his arm, the way he hit him … that’s a send-off in the ’70s,” league legend Andrew Johns told Nine.
Brad Fittler added, “That was just totally careless. Absolutely careless, reckless. All of them”.
When replays of the high tackle were played on the big screen, Penrith players advanced towards Milne to show their displeasure.
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Referee Ashley Klein had no hesitation in sending Milne off. It was only a fortnight ago Milne was sin-binned twice against the Roosters.
Leniu too had to leave the field, but for a head injury assessment.
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And as he walked off in the hands of Penrith trainers Leniu stopped on the sideline, turned and waited for Milne to get closer.
The Penrith wrecking ball tried to get at Milne to show the South Sydney winger what he thought of the tackle.
Luckily he was restrained by several people.
”It’s all happening down there,” Nine caller Mat Thompson said.
“It was about to bubble over. I thought it was Battle of Brookvale about to emerge.”
Given Leniu had two HIAs during the preliminary final he will need to pass through concussion protocols to ensure he plays in the decider next week.
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