Stuart questions sin-bin for 'totally unnecessary' hit

Ricky Stuart has questioned the decision to sin-bin Hudson Young for a high shot on Kalyn Ponga during the Raiders clash with Newcastle.

The Bunker was called into the incident after a review into Tyson Gamble's try, with the four-pointer eventually ruled out due to obstruction.

Footage then showed Young collecting Ponga high after his pass which league great Billy Slater described as "unnecessary" upon immediate viewing.

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Knights legend Andrew Johns didn't think it was intentional from Young.

"I give him the benefit of the doubt I think Hudson braces but then goes on with it," he said on Nine's coverage.

"I don't think there's anything deliberate in it. He braces for some sort of collision but then goes on with it.".

Brad Fittler added he thought it Ponga relaxing after passing didn't help.

Young's fate was sealed by the bunker though with referee Todd Smith stating: "you've had late contact with Kalyn Ponga, totally unnecessary" before sin binning him.

"It's a tough one – but it's the correct call," Andrew Johns said on Nine.

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While Young was sent from the field, the Raiders kept the original penalty for obstruction and ultimately scored the opening try of the match moments later.

Speaking to the media post-game, head coach Ricky Stuart questioned the decision from the officials, while also calling for consistency throughout the year.

"What was the sin-binning for? Pushing him," he said.

"The buzzword is discretionary, and that was a discretionary decision.

"Penalise him, but if we're gonna start penalising people for that, we're gonna be playing a lot of games with 12. If that's a sin-bin offence and that's then a week off, it's got to be consistent every week and every game – but it won't be.

"Referees have got a very difficult job, but I don't think it's a sin-bin offence."

Canberra would go on to record a 28-12 victory over the Knights in a major upset to kick off their campaign, with Jamal Fogarty steering the ship at halfback.