Skipper Isaah Yeo added: “We didn’t see it on the screen right until the end. You’re not happy when one of your teammates cops something like that.”
Barnett did not say a word when he was marched, and Panthers prop Spencer Leniu fired off some verbal barbs when he came to the side of Carrington Park.
Viliame Kikau offloads for Penrith against the Knights at Carrington Park.Credit:Getty
TV commentators described the shot on Smith who was not looking as a “brain explosion” and “as cheap as it gets”.
Under the new NRL judicial code, Barnett is likely to be hit with a striking or dangerous contact charge, which can carry a ban of 2-4 matches. The more serious reckless high tackle charge would have only applied had Smith been hit while carrying the ball.
Smith was only brought into the side for the premiers given the mass of injuries to their forward stocks.
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Moses Leota has been sidelined with a shoulder injury, while James Fisher-Harris (shoulder) and Liam Martin (leg) are no sure things to play in next Friday’s grand final rematch against South Sydney.
The Knights led 6-4 when Barnett floored his unsuspecting opponent, only for the Panthers to draw level through a penalty goal before Taylan May scored to give them a lead they never relinquished the rest of the blustery afternoon on the other side of the Blue Mountains.
Nathan Cleary remains a big chance of playing his first game since off-season shoulder surgery against Souths.
Playing just his second NRL game, May scored a hat-trick of tries, including a first-half double as a result of kicks. Jarome Luai provided the first before the 20-year-old latched on to a Tago grubber.
The 20-year-old has plenty of upside, and will be a regular in the side – and easy to spot with the blond streak through his black hair – for at least the next month as Origin winger Brian To’o recovers from a knee injury.
The Knights lost Kalyn Ponga before the game as he failed to overcome a knee injury a second straight week. They will be desperate for their skipper and No.1 to be fit for Friday’s tough trip to Cronulla.
The merit of the independent doctor in the bunker will again came under the microscope after Kurt Mann was brought from the ground for a head injury assessment, despite staying down after receiving an eye-watering knock between the legs. “They [the bunker] were looking at the wrong head – I got kicked in the balls,” Mann said. O’Brien added: “It was clear to see the area that was affected.”
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‘Brain explosion’: Barnett banished for sickening stray elbow as Panthers nullify Knights
Source: Philippines Alive
