LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Penrith Panthers captain Nathan Cleary has expressed his frustration over a controversial penalty awarded to Melbourne Storm in a recent golden point match. He accused Melbourne's hooker, Harry Grant, of "playing for" the penalty that ultimately changed the game's outcome.
As the match approached its climax with the score tied, Cleary successfully executed what appeared to be a game-winning field goal. However, referee Ashley Klein intervened, giving a penalty to Melbourne instead. Replays indicated that Penrith forward Moses Leota had shifted slightly to his left, while Grant fell down in an attempt to block the kick, leading to the penalty decision.
The fan reaction regarding the referee's call was mixed, with some suggesting that Grant's actions resembled a dive, while others stood by his defensive maneuvers. Penrith's coach, Ivan Cleary, refrained from providing a detailed commentary on the situation, only noting that Grant demonstrated exceptional awareness on the field, particularly after he scored the match-winning try in extra time. However, he then encouraged his son Nathan to be honest when asked about the incident.
Nathan Cleary stated that, under regular circumstances, the play would not have been considered an obstruction, affirming that Grant indeed "played for the penalty."