A controversial send-off left Manly depleted against a resurgent South Sydney who kicked back into form with an impressive 40-22 win.
In the early stages of the match, Manly’s second-rower Karl Lawton took down Souths captain Cameron Murray in a low dumping tackle that divided the NRL landscape.
The 26-year-old was sent off for the match, leaving Manly with just 12 men on the field for the vast majority of the game.
Manly will be down to 12 for the rest of the game after Karl Lawton is sent from the field.
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Speaking on Fox League, former Panthers great Greg Alexander agreed with the decision and thought it was an ugly look for the game.
“I thought it was a send-off offence,” Alexander said.
“We have had players get players in positions, and this is the tackle that we want to stamp out.
“Players that get a player up in an awkward position don’t go on with it like that.
“And Karl Lawton drove him into the ground head-first. Cameron Murray twisted his head and landed on his shoulder, but it could have been a little different.
“I’ve got no argument with it being a send-off.
“I don’t know what will happen to Lawton at the judiciary, but he is in a bit of strife.”
Ex-Bulldog Michael Ennis also believed the action was worthy of a send-off and says it’s an action that could have caused serious harm to Murray.
“That’s very, very dangerous,” he said.
“It was a bad one. He came up and underneath, drops low but it’s that last lifting motion where he almost just flips him at the last minute.
“Murray (was) lucky not to be hurt. I’m not surprised (he was sent off).”
Lawton will await the tribunal in anticipation of Manly’s clash with the Wests Tigers at home, while the Rabbitohs host the Broncos who are coming off a strong win over the Sharks.
In the earlier game, the Titans led the undefeated Panthers 4-0 at halftime and were effective in shutting down the Panthers game style.
However, the Panthers rolled home with an 18-0 second half making them the first team to start 8-0 two years in a row.
They will host the Eels next Friday night while the Titans travel to face the Sydney Roosters.