Wayne Bennett says Dolphins enforcer Felise Kaufusi should get no more than a fine for his high shot on Storm prop Christian Welch as Queensland sweats on the decision of the match review committee.
Kaufusi was sin-binned and put on report in the second minute of the Storm's 24-16 win over the Dolphins on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium.
He was suspended for four weeks earlier in the season for a shot on Newcastle's Jackson Hastings.
Kaufusi is a certainty to be named in the Maroons team for the State of Origin series opener on May 31 in Adelaide but will almost certainly miss the clash if charged with a high grade offence after Sunday's review.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy was diplomatic when quizzed on the actions of the 31-year-old, who he coached in two premierships wins in 2017 and 2020.
"Obviously, things happen in the heat of the moment out there," Bellamy said.
"He is not thinking about missing Origin, but if he gets suspended he will miss Origin. There might be a heavy price for him."
Bennett said Kaufusi's high shot was "no big deal" as Welch was not concussed and did not leave the field.
He pointed to the $1800 fine handed down to Penrith and NSW No.6 Jarome Luai for pushing a touch judge on Thursday night in the Panthers 15-4 win over Brisbane,.
"He got a fine, didn't he?
"If you look like being in Origin you are a real good chance of getting a fine or not guilty," Bennett said.
Bennett was asked if he believed a fine should be sufficient in this instance, for a shot he said wasn't vicious or malicious.
"I would say for that. If he is charged it would be no more than that," Bennett said.
Bennett has coached Queensland on 25 occasions. Bellamy has previously coached NSW. Both are straight shooters and know the ramifications for Kaufusi.
"I don't know whether he would do the same thing if he had his time over again," Bellamy said.
"The sunshine up here mightn't be so good for him. It might make him more aggressive," he grinned
"He seems to be on the angry pills, but I can't remember having to pull him back too far with us.
"He was always an aggressive player, especially defensively. You want that out of your players but there has got to be a level where you can't go above. Perhaps he has stepped over that a couple of times this year."
Dolphins back-rower Kenny Bromwich was also put on report for dangerous contact on former Storm teammate Nick Meaney.
Dolphins captain Jesse Bromwich, a former Storm captain himself, was asked about the fire and brimstone.
"I think the first time you play against your old club that is always going to be the case," he said.
"We did have a little chat about it during the week, but we didn't stick to that. For me the thing with 'Fus' is that we love it when he goes out there and is aggressive and really changes the game.
"He gives us so much momentum. We encourage that sort of behaviour. Swinging arms, I'm not too sure about, but we love it when he is aggressive."
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