‘Should buy a lottery ticket’: Kaufusi escapes ban for elbow on Walker

State of Origin forward Felise Kaufusi has avoided suspension despite being charged by the NRL’s match review committee for an alleged elbow to the head of Roosters whiz kid Sam Walker.

It comes as the Roosters allayed concerns for Luke Keary’s playing future, hosing down talk of a potential retirement due to another head knock against the Storm on Saturday night.

Kaufusi, who last year was controversially sanctioned for making contact with the head of Eels star Ryan Matterson in a tackle, faces an $1800 fine with an early guilty plea after being hit with a grade one dangerous contact charge.

It was his second offence this year. Walker left the field for a head injury assessment after Kaufusi appeared to strike the five-eighth with his forearm as he fell on top of him while carrying the ball in a second half tackle. Walker returned to the field after passing his concussion test.

Kaufusi wasn’t penalised for the incident, but it didn’t escape the attention of the match review committee. It means the Queensland forward will be free for the Storm’s top four clash with the Broncos at AAMI Park next week and Origin game two at Optus Stadium in Perth.

Asked about the incident in his post match press conference, Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said: “I don’t think he was penalised for it, so if there was something wrong with it, the bunker would have stepped in.”

But eighth Immortal Andrew Johns said Kaufusi was extremely lucky to escape with just a fine for the incident.

“I just hope they’re consistent,” he told The Footy Show. “I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt, but if they’ve fined they’re saying he’s guilty. So $1800, I think Felise should go but a lottery ticket. He’s pretty lucky.“