Did you watch the game, or the link I posted showing when the actual incident occurred?
I kinda feel like most people are discussing this based on seeing a still photo of the incident, which is lightyears from what it looked like in actual telecast/video.
Having rewatched the footage (not looking at a stilll photo), when Salmon gets hit by Starling in a good tackle (that hits him in the midsection), Salmons leg does not move from when he is hit, and its that leg that gets Starling in the nuts as Salmon goes to ground.
He got fined / charged for lashing out with the boot whilst getting up, and accidentally catching Starling (who was cradling his testicles) in the head.
Yes I saw it, penalty was awarded against Starling and put on report. You obviously see it a LOT differently to the way not only I but also Ricky Stuart.
"He got fined / charged for lashing out with the boot whilst getting up, and accidentally catching Starling (who was cradling his testicles) in the head".
That is contrary to what the footage shows and he clearly had his leg held high between Starlings legs and lifted it, hence why Starling fell to the ground and Salmon lashed out again with his legs and Starling head hits Salmons leg/foot on the way down to the ground after receiving the low shot from Salmon. Salmon or anyone would know where his leg was and you don't lash out like he did but he did. It was definitely NO accident.
Go and watch the post match press conference with Ricky Stuart. He wasn't unhappy throughout most of that conference and even praised the effort of his team, said Penrith are a very good side and even said Fisher-Harris tackle that was on report was an accident, I can accept that an hope he doesn't get suspended for that but when asked about the Salmon and Starling incident he reiterated what he said about the Fisher-Harris tackle being an accident but then said what Salmon had done was a dog act.
Seems a extremely harsh penalty put on Ricky for speaking his mind which he shouldn't have but because he did Salmon has got off light.