St George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown has welcomed the NRL match review committee's decision not to cite Jason Ryles following the front-rower's controversial send off against Melbourne on Monday night.
While the Storm's Billy Slater and Dragons second-rower Beau Scott were cited for their part in a wild all-in brawl prior to Ryles' dismissal, the UK-bound prop escaped further punishment for kicking rival Jeff Lima in a scrum.
It was widely expected Ryles would be exonerated, especially after referee Gavin Badger was demoted from first grade as a result of his snap send off call.
"As we said after the game, he shouldn't have been (suspended). That's the correct decision," Brown said upon the team's return to Sydney on Tuesday.
"But it doesn't matter now. What's happened in Melbourne with Rylesy's situation, nothing I say or anyone says or writes is going to change anything."
"What's happened (has) happened - we've got to go in with the same intensity against the Bulldogs this week."
Brown ordered Ryles not to talk to waiting media, instead directing the press to Ben Hornby and telling the half-back what to say.
"We're happy for Rylesy. It's a good result for us and we can look forward to next week," Hornby said.
"We're not going to whinge about that sort of stuff. We've just got to get on with playing good footy and win next week."
"We've lost our last two and if we don't start winning some more games we'll fall out of the eight."
Asked if he agreed with the decision to sack Badger, Brown replied: "Finchy's (referees' coach Robert Finch) the one who does all that stuff so you'll have to ask Finchy."
"The good part for us was that physically we turned up for that game and we challenged them and at times we ruffled their feathers."
"It was a good, tough contest."
"That's (the send off) very unfortunate for us (but) we need to turn up next week and do well."
"That's got to be our main focus."