'It's a dive' - Corey Parker calls for rule change after Latrell Mitchell's controversial sin-binning

Brendan Bradford

'It's a dive' - Corey Parker calls for rule change after Latrell Mitchell's controversial sin-binning image

Corey Parker has called for a rule change after Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell was controversially sin-binned after making contact with Manly's Daly Cherry-Evans in South Sydney's 26-12 win over the Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval on Saturday night. 

Mitchell was in fine form as the Bunnies notched up their first win of the season. 

The fullback scored one try, set up another, kicked two goals and ran for 151 metres as Wayne Bennett's side nabbed a five-tries-to-two win in wet conditions. 

But it was a first-half incident between Mitchell and Cherry-Evans that was a key talking point. 

After making a break on the right, Cherry-Evans grubbered ahead, with Mitchell making contact with the Manly captain as he chased the ball.

A few metres after the contact, DCE fell to the ground, with referee Gerard Sutton sending the play up to the Bunker. 

The Bunker ruled that Mitchell "played Cherry-Evans" as he passed him, seeing the Bunnies fullback marched for 10. 

In commentary, Braith Anasta and Michael Ennis were both hugely critical of the call. 

Speaking on The Sunday Ticket on Fox on Sunday afternoon, Parker called for a rule change to stop players taking advantage of the system. 

"It's a dive. I'm a good mate of DCE, but it's a dive," Parker said. 

"But is he doing the wrong thing by diving? He understands the rules, so the system's the problem. 

"That doesn't knock you over. DCE knows the rules inside out. He knows 'if I fall over here, I'm going to get a penalty.'

"Is it right? Well, that's not for us to decide, but the rules is the problem.

"Change the rule. Fix the rule." 

Manly scored one try with the one-man advantage, but Mitchell crossed the tryline shortly after coming back on as the Bunnies turned a 14-6 halftime lead into a 26-12 victory. 

The Mitchell sin-binning wasn't the only time DCE came under the spotlight, with Anasta examining his contribution.

"DCE was quiet. He needs to improve," Anasta said. 

"He didn't have one of his better games. There's a bit of pressure on him now, because he's struggling a little bit to start the year.

"So much relies on him and how he performs."

The loss was made worse for Manly with Andrew Davey likely ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury. 

Des Hasler's side are away to the Dragons next Friday night after St George Illawarra recorded their first win of the season over the Cowboys on Saturday. 

 

 

Brendan Bradford