Brisbane coach Kevin Walters concedes front-rower Tom Flegler is “in a fair bit of strife” after being placed on report four times during the club’s 20-6 loss to the Warriors.
Flegler was reported three times in the first quarter of the match, including twice on a single play.
He first found himself in trouble in the eighth minute for a hip-drop tackle, then twice in the 21st minute – initially for unnecessary contact and then a late tackle.
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The unnecessary contact was on Warriors second-rower Josh Curran, with Flegler the third man in and crashing into his legs, while the late tackle saw Flegler hit front-rower Addin Fonua-Blake.
But Flegler is likely to find himself in most trouble with the match review committee for a hip-drop on Ben Murdoch-Masila late in the second half, described by Warren Smith on Fox League as a “shocker.”
This was Flegler’s first match back after copping a lengthy suspension at the end of the 2021 season.
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“He’s on report four times, so obviously that’s not great for Tom,” Walters admitted after the game.
“He’s obviously in a fair bit of strife with four charges, that’s never good for anyone.
“He lives on the edge, he’s that type of player, obviously it was Tom’s first game back and he was looking for so much more, he’s bitterly disappointed with what’s unfolded.”
After starting the season with consecutive wins, Brisbane has now suffered two straight defeats, and captain Adam Reynolds acknowledged they only had themselves to blame.
“It’s pretty hard to get into the games when we’re turning over so much ball and giving penalties away,” he said.
“The last two weeks we’ve made an extra 100 tackles than the other team, it’s pretty hard to play some footy when you’re gassed.”
Both teams are back in action next Friday, with the Broncos to play the Roosters, while the Warriors, who have now won back-to-back matches, will face the Cowboys.
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