Storm slugged $10,000 for cramping Parramatta's style
Melbourne have been fined $10,000 for stopping play to treat winger Suliasi Vunivalu for cramp during last Saturday night's win over Parramatta.
The NRL has given the Storm five days to respond to the breach notice. The game's rules prevent trainers from "attempts to unnecessarily stop play for tactical reasons".
The five-figure penalty came on the same day Eels playmaker Dylan Brown conceded that he and Cameron Smith were lucky a dangerous throw did not end up much worse.
"Obviously it didn't feel good,'' Brown said of the Smith tackle, which left the Storm skipper with 75 carryover points and now walking a finals tightrope.
"Looking back at the video, it wasn't too bad.
"He got lucky, actually. I was bending, and if my head was straight it could have ended up worse for him.
"I'm lucky, he's lucky, my neck is lucky. It's good news for both of us.''
Dylan Brown in full flight last Saturday night.Credit:Getty Images
Brown was up-ended by Smith in the 48th minute during Saturday night's 36-24 victory by Melbourne. The Storm gave brief thought to challenging the grade-one charge but risked losing their inspirational leader for Friday week's preliminary final had they gone to the NRL judiciary and lost, and so they took the early plea.
Cameron Smith rounds up Dylan Brown.Credit:Getty Images
Brown's neck was fine but more importantly there were no issues with his ankle, which had kept him out of action for more than a month prior to the weekend.
The $10,000 fine for treating Vunivalu is double what the Gold Coast were slugged earlier this year when Young Tonumaipea's calves gave out in back play against the Wests Tigers.
Feeling the pain back in round 16.Credit:Getty
As for going head to head with South Sydney rival No. 6 Cody Walker, Brown said: "He's been amazing and is a freak.
"But I won't go there thinking I need to beat Cody. I will do my job, he does his job really well. I'll do what I have to do for the team. I'm keen for this week.''
Brown hobbled from the field with an ankle injury during the 38-0 drubbing against Souths in round 16.
Christian covers rugby league for The Sydney Morning Herald.