BREAKING: Luai's big Origin boost as Panthers star escapes ban ...

Panthers star Jarome Luai was involved in a controversial moment on Thursday night after appearing to make contact with a touchline referee.

But the Penrith five-eighth won’t face any time on the sidelines because of it after Luai was charged with contrary conduct on Friday, facing only a $1,800 fine for the incident.

The moment took place in the first half after Panthers winger Sunia Turuva dived over in the left corner to score the opening try of Penrith’s win over the Broncos.

While awaiting the try to be awarded, Luai makes contact with official Chris Sutton. He then appears to realise what he has done and taps a stunned Sutton to apologise.

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While there was little force used, Broncos great Sam Thaiday recalled a similar incident during his career that saw him cop a suspension.

“I got suspended for that,” Thaiday said on Nine.

“Off a scrum, I grabbed the umpire’s shirt trying to explain that he was holding me in the scrum against the Melbourne Storm here, and I got a week’s suspension for that.

“You’re not allowed to touch a referee.”

Maroons great Paul Vautin was confused with what Luai’s intent was.

“What was he trying to do?” he asked.

“Was he trying to push him out of the way or tap him to talk to him?”

CODE Sports’ Lachlan McKirdy said Luai immediately knew he was in the wrong.

“Why did Jarome Luai push the touch judge,” he tweeted.

“Immediate regret when he realised what he’d done.” He added:

“Common sense says he was just trying to get through to celebrate with Turuva. But I guess we’ll find out in the morning.”

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary attempted to downplay the incident.

“I don’t think there’s much in there,” he said after the match.

Captain Nathan Cleary, meanwhile, confirmed Luai apologised to Sutton.

“(Luai) mentioned it to me straight after the game, he said he didn’t realise it was the touchy and then apologised straight after,” he said.

The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio on Friday morning referenced players in the past who have been suspended for contrary conduct, but said Luai would likely be let off with a fine.

“We have had situations in the past where players have made contact with referees,” Riccio said on SEN.

“Tyson Frizell touched a ref back in 2016 and was given a one-match suspension.

“Sam McKendry, formerly with the Panthers, was also given a one-game suspension after he was found guilty of contrary conduct.

“Other players like Johnathon Thurston and Kieran Foran have been let off with fines in the past or sometimes no charge at all.

“Jarome Luai is headed down the fine path, (but) it will be a heavy fine.”

It wasn’t the only controversial moment during the play with conjecture over Turuva’s try.

It initially looed to be a clear try, but a closer inspection revealed the Panthers flyer lifted his arm to reach the tryline after it contacted the ground.

“Ooh, is that a double movement?” Dan Ginnane said on Fox League.

“He has certainly lifted that arm and promoted that ball. The question is, is it momentum or is it illegal?”

The try was awarded by referee and then confirmed soon after without it being referred to the Bunker.

Fox League’s Cooper Cronk believed the try call was a contentious one.

“At first look, it looks as if Turuva has lifted his arm off the ground once it made contact,” Cronk said.