[2] In the preview for the match, the official programme Big League noted that the feud between the teams was "set to reignite," but that there was a "mutual respect between the two clubs".

[4] In the 23rd minute of the match, Manly winger David Williams suffered a neck injury, which resulted in play being suspended whilst he was carried off the stretcher.

[4][5] Shortly after the Williams injury, Melbourne interchange forward Ryan Hinchcliffe conceded a penalty when he struck Manly's Darcy Lussick close to the Sea Eagles' line.

On their way to the dressing rooms, a major brawl erupted between Blair and Stewart, which involved players and officials from both sides; the two subsequently had their sin-bin punishments upgraded to a send off, meaning they would take no further part in the match.

The Sea Eagles would eventually win 18–4 with a late Billy Slater try preventing the Storm from being held scoreless for the first time since the 2008 NRL Grand Final.

[11][12] The charges and outcomes were as follows: Then-NRL CEO David Gallop condemned the actions of both teams, saying: The sight of so many players from both teams fighting, of people running in and leaving the bench area, was a horrendous look for the game.Despite the spiteful nature of the match, Melbourne's Billy Slater won universal praise for his actions after the neck injury to Manly winger David Williams.