The NRL's contentious slapping rule is here to stay with head of football Graham Annesley describing the re-emergence of such conduct during the finals series as "not a good look for the game".

On the same day Melbourne captain Cameron Smith escaped a ban for using an open hand on the forehead of Eels opposite Reed Mahoney, Annesley insisted the policy had the backing of some of the sharpest minds in the game when it was introduced two years ago.

Marching orders: Cameron Smith is sent to the sin bin. Credit:Getty Images

Smith will be fined $1350 if he lodges an early guilty plea for a grade-one contrary conduct charge stemming from his sin binning in the Storm's 32-0 finals rout of the Eels at AAMI Park on Saturday night.

NSW's most successful State of Origin coach, Phil Gould, lashed Smith's 10-minute stint on the sidelines as a "total farce" and example of rugby league turning into "a nanny state".