Rugby league great Brad Fittler has urged referees to start sending players to the sin bin more frequently when they make professional fouls.

Fittler's calls came after Cooper Cronk tackled Darius Boyd when he didn't have the ball and was chasing down a kick heading towards Newcastle's try line, and was still allowed to stay on the park.

Newcastle coach Wayne Bennett was furious after the match, saying Melbourne were deliberately giving away penalties in a bid to reorganise their defensive line.

"The sin bin is dead," Fittler told SportsFan's Clubhouse.

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