Manly prop Josh Starling doesn’t want to see Canterbury adversary Josh Jackson rubbed out of the finals, but he does want to the NRL to address its anti-punching laws.

Starling was the victim of a nasty-looking chicken wing tackle from Jackson in the first half of Saturday night’s gripping 18-17 golden-point win to Canterbury in the elimination final.

Jackson was put on report and is almost certainly facing a suspension given he already has 67 carry-over points to his name.

But it was Starling who was marched to the sin-bin for reacting to Jackson’s potentially dangerous tackle with a light jab to the Canterbury back-rower’s chin.

Starling said he was left feeling “awkward” and “vulnerable” by the chicken wing, but he wants the incident to stay on the field.

However he feels it’s unjust that a punch is deemed worse by the on-field officials.

“It’s one of those rules you don’t understand too well, but you’ve got to get on with it,” Starling told AAP.

“It’s the first time I’ve had (a chicken wing). It does feel awkward and you do feel pretty vulnerable about what’s going to happen … but I probably over-reacted a bit.

“You don’t want to see him rubbed out for the finals series. He’s a good player and a crucial player in their team so hopefully he’s alright.

“I’m fine with it. Hopefully he should be too. You shake hands and move on.”

Canterbury coach Des Hasler said post-match that Jackson should have nothing to worry about at the judiciary.

However, Jackson has carry-over points from a tripping charge earlier this season and, based on recent judiciary findings, the match review committee has taken a dim attitude towards chicken wing tackles.

Aidan Guerra and Justin Horo have recently been suspended for the outlawed wrestling manoeuvre.

Canterbury’s Reni Maitua was sin-binned late in the match for another punch, but the victim, Manly’s James Hasson, says he had to use great discipline not to also throw his fists.

Hasson says there’s no harm in players letting off steam.

“To be honest, I would have liked the boys to let a few go, but that’s just the game these days and that’s why I couldn’t throw any,” he said.

“I’d like to see play on, no sin-bins.”