Phil Gould has labelled the decision of referee Grant Atkins to send Viliame Kikau to the sin bin as a 'disgrace'.
The Penrith back rower was handed 10 minutes on the sidelines for a late hit on Dragons halfback Darren Nicholls in the 64th minute of their clash at Panthers Stadium.
After a delay to receive advice from the bunker, Atkins deemed Kikau had struck Nicholls with a dangerous shoulder charge and he was sent from the field.
"Oh my God, really? No!" a baffled Gould said in commentary.
"If he's been sent, that's a disgrace. Honestly, that's a disgrace."
Fellow Wide World Of Sports commentator agreed with Gould's sentiments.
"I thought it was a little bit harsh," Slater said.
"They're cracking down on hitting playmakers late. I thought this one was a little bit different to the traditional (late hits on halves).
"I think Kikau was already in position to make the tackle. I thought the 10 minutes was a little bit harsh.
"He didn't go through with the tackle. There was no force behind it."
The decision didn't cost the Panthers who, despite allowing Paul Vaughan to score a try while down to 12 men, coasted to a 40-18 victory, their seventh in a row.