Titan sent off for frightening spear tackle

centre Brian Kelly was sent off for lifting winger Dominic Young into a frightening position during .

But Paul Vautin slammed the referee's decision, arguing a send-off was not warranted.

Kelly went low to tackle Young in the 51st minute and got it horribly wrong.

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The Englishman wasn't harmed but referee Ben Cummins, after consulting with the Bunker, sent Kelly for an early shower as his team continued on to grab a 36-26 win on the Gold Coast.

"I'm without speech. I'm speechless," Vautin said on Nine's coverage.

"It was an ordinary tackle, but it doesn't deserve a send-off."

Cameron Smith also claimed a send-off was too harsh a punishment.

"I was thinking 10 minutes in the bin for Brian Kelly, but he will take no further part in today's action," Smith said.

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Kelly became the player sent off in the NRL since .

Last year's Dally M Medal winner was slapped with a five-game ban, ruling him out until week one of the finals series.

The Titans are awaiting the match review committee's call on Kelly's tackle, but the 26-year-old's season is undoubtedly over.

The Titans will meet the Warriors at Auckland's Mt Start Stadium next Saturday afternoon in their last game of the season.

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