Dylan Walker ‘probably deserved’ Curtis Scott punch, says NRL veteran
Related Story: Manly defends NRL over Scott suspension for breaking Walker's eye socket
Luke Lewis has declared Manly's Dylan Walker "probably deserved" to be punched in the face by Melbourne Storm's Curtis Scott, an incident that left the Sea Eagle with a fractured eye socket.
Debate has raged in the NRL after Melbourne Storm centre Curtis Scott fractured Walker's eye socket during a spiteful clash at AAMI Park last Saturday night.
The two engaged in a running war-of-words during the game before Scott snapped by punching Walker, in the process becoming the first NRL player to be sent off in a match since 2015.
Walker will be on the sidelines for up to six weeks as a result of the punch, while Scott earned a two-match suspension.
Lewis believes Walker was lucky to avoid being sent off alongside Scott.
"I don't condone it, fighting, but personally I think Dylan Walker probably deserved it," Lewis said on Fox Sports.
"[Walker] sort of went out of the way to give Curtis Scott a good push in the back.
"I believe Dylan Walker started the fight because Curtis Scott walked away and then he came away and initiated it.
"Our game definitely can't get down the track of letting punches go again, but if you send one (off the ground), you've got to send two."
Lewis's comments about Walker did not go unnoticed on social media, with the two-time premiership player attracting both criticism and support.
While Walker has arguably received more negative feedback than Scott following the incident, his Sea Eagles skipper Daly Cherry-Evans backed his teammate.
Cherry-Evans said he would not be telling Walker to tone his sledging down when he returns from injury, likening his unsettling tactics to retired premiership player Michael Ennis.
"No way, Mick Ennis never had to," Cherry-Evans said.
"It's a part of the game. He certainly wasn't the only one out there talking a bit of rubbish either.
"It's a part of rugby league. This time it led to some action."
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