'Absolute nothing': Cameron Smith sin-binned in NRL finals 'disgrace'

Melbourne Storm skipper Cameron Smith has been sin-binned after slapping his opposite number in the face.

The Storm were dominating the Eels 22-0 when Reed Mahoney held onto Cameron Smith following a kick.

As Smith attempted to get away from the collisions, Mahoney held on.

In frustration, Smith slapped Mahoney across the face.

After a lengthy delay, the referee had no choice but to send Smith to the bin.

Phil Gould blasts ‘disgrace’

However, Channel Nine commentator Phil Gould did not agree.

"I think he's trying to slap at his arm and he just catches him in the forehead but it's a nothing - it's an absolute nothing. What a disgrace," Gould said on the Nine Network.

Smith is likely to be charged with contrary conduct, which might be a $1500 fine if the match review committee give him the same penalty as South Sydney's Cody Walker.

The Rabbitohs' playmaker was sin-binned for a similar offence in Friday night's finals win over Manly.

If he is charged with striking, Smith might miss game time, with a grade-one charge carrying a 200-point base penalty.

In 2008, Smith missed Melbourne's 40-0 grand-final loss to Manly through suspension.

Smith was rubbed out for two weeks for a grapple tackle during the Storm's semi-final win over Brisbane, causing him to miss the rest of the finals series.

Melbourne set up a preliminary final blockbuster against the Sydney Roosters after dominating Parramatta 32-0.

The Eels had no answer as they were blown off AAMI Park in the first half on Saturday night in a game that was full of twists and turns.