After a tense encounter, Nathan Cleary's actions during the Panthers' 19-12 victory over the Roosters have sparked debate, particularly regarding his sin-binning.
The halfback was penalized for dangerous contact after making contact with Hugo Savala's leg post-kick. The match review committee categorized the incident as a Grade 1 charge, imposing a $1000 fine. A more severe Grade 2 charge would have risked a one-game suspension.
Post-match, coach Ivan Cleary defended his son, highlighting an earlier incident involving James Tedesco, who had also dived at Nathan's legs without facing any penalty. Ivan noted the disparity in officiating and remarked, "He's just trying to make a play."
This inconsistency in match officiating has been a focal point of discussion. Ivan Cleary stressed this when he said, "The angle was wrong and under the current rules it's probably the right call."
Nathan expressed remorse after the game, admitting he felt guilty for letting his team down with what he deemed a poor decision. He reflected, "I thought I saw an opportunity to come up with a big play on half-time and it ended up being the opposite." Ultimately, he acknowledged the team's resilience as pivotal in securing the victory.