yes, as i understand it from talking to a friend who refs. however, you risk getting sent off. ie, gilmour could've got sent off but saints would still have had the penalty.

if he'd just sin binned them both there would likely have been no more nonsense. i don't agree with all this 'it was good reffing, it let the game flow etc...'

Yup, penalty is based on the first offence (or the first offence seen by the officials in this case). Any subsequent foul play is dealt with separately but unlike in Union the penalty cannot be reversed for retaliation.

He didn't pull his hair, he had hold of his collar.

listening to the highlights, there were complaints of a finger in smith's eye

And Gilmour clearly tells the ref that he was bitten by Smith - I couldn't see either alleged offence on the replays but it would explain the OTT reaction from Gilmour, a player not known for chucking his fists around.