The subsequent penalty goal allowed Brisbane to level the scores and send the game to extra time. Hosking is facing a $1000 fine.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart and captain Joe Tapine were both miffed by the fact Walsh wasn’t sent off for his headbutt on Young, with Stuart declaring “they’ve set a precedent now, you’re allowed to headbutt” after full-time.
Walsh’s monetary punishment was upped from $1500 to $3000 as the clash with Young was the second offence on his record after a round 22 shoulder charge on South Sydney’s Tyrone Munro.
Smithies himself was charged with the same grade 1 striking for a headbutt on Wests Tigers forward Fonua Pole earlier this year, which left the Raiders forward bleeding from the top of his scalp.
Smithies was trying to free himself from a three-man tackle in that incident whereas the Walsh and Young fracas came after a dropped ball by the Brisbane star.
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As for Carrigan’s hit on Smithies, Broncos coach Michael Maguire said he thought it was a head clash, but Carrigan was sin-binned by referee Ashley Klein while Smithies was taken off for a HIA, which he subsequently cleared.
Brisbane will host the winner of Sunday’s Bulldogs-Panthers semi-final in the grand final qualifier at Suncorp Stadium.
Back-rower Brendan Piakura is awaiting confirmation of a facial fracture that would rule him out, while powerhouse prop Payne Haas carried an ankle injury for much of Sunday’s cliffhanger.
