“It’s 100% unacceptable”: Parker fumes at light suspension for Olakau'atu following Game III melee

SEN’s Corey Parker has slammed the NRL for what he sees as a very lenient punishment for NSW Blues squad member Haumole Olakau’atu during the 2024 State of Origin series decider.

Despite not playing in Game III, the Manly back rower involved himself in the first half melee and was subsequently banished to the sheds for the remainder of the contest. The NRL handed Olakau’atu a two-match ban with an early guilty plea.

Parker, who represented Queensland in 19 Origin matches, believes that Olakau’atu is incredibly lucky he isn’t facing a lengthier stint on the sidelines.

“The NRL have always staunchly stood up for standards that need to be set,” Parker said on SENQ.

“Not just over what happens on a week-to-week basis on TV but also on what filters down to the grassroots.

“The biggest showcase we have in rugby league (is Origin) and it spills out onto the sideline.

“Cameron Murray has been suspended for two weeks. I can cop that because at that point in time, he was on the bench.

“Olakau’atu is dressed in his Sunday civvies in a suit and is then involved in the melee. It’s 100% unacceptable.

“A player not even in the game is getting a two week suspension. It’s completely unacceptable.

“It’s ludicrous. He should get six weeks at least.

“We cannot have somebody not involved in the game at all being involved in a melee like that.

“Did he throw a punch? No but he had Valentine Holmes around his neck.

“If this was Goodna v Brothers down the road and someone was dressed in plain clothes and involved in a melee, they would get a life ban.

“It can’t happen yet we are happy for a two-game ban to be thrown on Olakau’atu because he’s a player? He didn’t even play in the game. He shouldn’t have been anywhere near it.

“I’m dumbfounded and I’m stunned.”

Olaka’atu will be available for Manly in Round 23 when the Sea Eagles travel to the nation’s capital to take on the Canberra Raiders.