Phoenix Crossland became the first player sent off for a hip-drop tackle in NRL history during Sunday's preliminary final.
His 35th-minute tackle broke Nathan Cleary's leg, ending the Penrith star's season; Cleary was stretchered from the field.
The Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights advanced to the 2026 grand final after a weekend that also sparked debate over whether Crossland deserved his dismissal.
Referee Gerard Sutton and the officials had time to review the incident as the Bunker examined replays.
Sutton told Crossland and Knights captain Kalyn Ponga: "Initially he's up high. He makes a definite action so (he) twists, comes down on the leg with weight. It's extreme risk of serious injury. You're off."
The tackle prompted a media personality to call for drastic measures to tackle the NRL's hip-drop problem.
Separately, an NRL great made a major call as the league prepares to farewell Mark Nawaqanitawase.