BREAKING: NRL delivers verdict after controversial Walsh call as Storm star facing ban

Broncos star Reece Walsh is free to play in Australia’s opening game against England later in the month after escaping with a fine for his high tackle on Xavier Coates on Sunday.

Walsh survived a potential sin bin after he collected a falling Coates with a shoulder to the head, before going on to score a stunning solo try in a dramatic opening forty minutes of the grand final.

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In the 21st minute with the Storm leading 12-6, Coates came down the left before cutting back on the inside and made a half break, with just Walsh ahead of him.

As the Broncos defenders closed in, Coates dropped his height in the tackle, but Walsh appeared to brace and make no attempt at a tackle.

Replays showed Walsh’s shoulder made direct contact with Coates’ head.

Queensland legend Billy Slater noted the fact that Coates was falling in the tackle might save Walsh from a sin bin.

“He looked like he was buckling a little bit,” Slater said on Channel 9.

“Xavier Coates down on his knees. And Walsh gets him with the point of the shoulder.”

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After consultation with the Bunker, referee Grant Atkins ruled that Coates was falling, so a penalty was sufficient, but he still placed Walsh on report.

Walsh was later hit with a grade one careless high tackle charge, which sees him fined $3,000 with the early plea and facing a two-game ban if he unsuccessfully fights the charge.

Melbourne’s Trent Loiero was not as lucky, with the Storm forward facing a two-game ban for his high shot on Brendan Piakura which saw him sent to the sin bin late in the game.

He was hit with a grade two careless high tackle and will be banned three games if he unsuccessfully contests the charge.

Andrew Johns was adamant the right call was made by the referees on the Walsh high shot.

Walsh added insult to injury when he scored a brilliant solo try within 10 minutes of the incident to get the Broncos back in the contest at 16-12.

Social media lit up with fans and pundits calling out the lack of consistency from the referees and were of the belief that Walsh was lucky to escape a sin bin.