‘It’s not UFC!’ Unbelievable moment footy star uses a mixed martial arts move on his opponent – but some say he had VERY good reason
- Brisbane Broncos 120kg prop Matt Lodge lashed out at Kyle Flanagan mid game
- He tripped the up-and-coming 20-year-old after a seemingly innocent tackle
- Further inspection saw Flanagan had actually kneed Lodge in the head earlier
- Lodge’s move was compared to UFC, in which he pushed Flanagan to the floor
Football fans were left reeling after a veteran player seemingly tripped an up-and-coming star without reason.
Brisbane 120kg prop Matt Lodge lashed out at 20-year-old Kyle Flanagan during the Broncos’ win over the Cronulla Sharks on Sunday afternoon.
The rugby league star refused to let go of Flanagan’s leg when he stood up from a tackle and proceeded to trip the young five eighth flat on to his back.
The crowd and commentators immediately condemned the action and compared it to something from the UFC.
Football fans were left reeling after a veteran player seemingly tripped up an up-and-coming star without reason
‘That was UFC-like,’ one commentator said, while another added ‘this isn’t the UFC’.
Former player Andrew Johns called for Lodge to be sidelined, saying any form of trip in years gone by ‘would be an automatic send off’.
A replay of the tackle prior to Lodge’s outburst showed a nasty knee to the head which had previously gone unnoticed.
During the tackle, in which Lodge was already on the ground, Flanagan rushed into the fray and his knee made clear contact with Lodge’s temple.
Channel 9’s Peter Sterling described the move as ‘a little unsavoury’.
A replay of the tackle prior to Lodge’s outburst showed a nasty knee to the head which had previously gone unnoticed
‘That does not look good. It certainly doesn’t condone what Matt Lodge stood up and did but it’s certainly provocation,’ he said.
Flanagan was placed on report for the move and could face some time on the sidelines.
Fans seemed divided over the actions of the two players involved.
‘Not a fan of Matt Lodge but he copped an intentional knee to the head yet people are crying about his trip?,’ one wrote on Twitter.
‘Ah Matt, good to see you know your judo well.’