As the NRL finals heat up, Penrith's Nathan Cleary finds himself at the center of controversy following a crucial match against the Sydney Roosters.
During the intense qualifying final on Sunday afternoon, Cleary faced a potential ban after being sin-binned for a dangerous play against Roosters player Hugo Savala.
Cleary's actions drew the ire of referee Gerard Sutton, who deemed the contact to carry "force" and "high risk of injury."
After initially being sidelined, Cleary returned to score a late field goal that secured Penrith's 19-12 victory, marking a pivotal moment in the match.
Injured during the dropkick landing, he chose to skip the conversion after Brian To'o's late try, as medical staff attended to him.
The Panthers are now positioned one more win away from their sixth grand final in seven years, while the Roosters will meet Cronulla in a do-or-die semi-final.
Cleary's father and coach, Ivan Cleary, defended his son in a post-match interview, stating, "God no. Of course not" when asked if he deserved a ban.
He added, "He just got the wrong angle. It's one of those rules...you forget in the heat of the battle."
As Cleary awaits the NRL's decision, he hopes to avoid a grade-two charge that could sideline him for the upcoming preliminary final.
While other players like Manly's Josh Aloiai and South Sydney's Jacob Host faced grade-two charges this year, a grade-one charge for Cleary would likely result in just a fine.
The match featured notable moments, including missed opportunities for the Roosters and a standout performance from Cleary, who consistently challenged their defense.
Penrith's win is a testament to their resilience, as they look to continue their dominance in the league this season.