Exactly, I made the point on our board that Ellis cops a ban for attempting to stop the offloading arm and/or wrap up the player. Players body position moves and in that split second a non event/legit tackle becomes a hit with the bicep/ipper arm to the face.
Stewarts lifting of the leg IS deliberate and reckless and as you said is warned about technique only due to a fortunate outcome.
I compared it to being let of for drink driving with no-one harmed and punished for hitting a rear bumper when someone sets off at a junction then hits the brakes suddenly (for no reason) and you have no time to react..