In a recent match that rekindled the intensity of last year’s grand final, Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary expressed his frustration over a contentious penalty awarded to Storm captain Harry Grant. In the closing moments of the closely contested game, Cleary attempted a decisive field goal, only for the referee, Ashley Klein, to penalise teammate Moses Leota for an illegal block against Grant.
Replays indicated minor contact, leading to a confusing decision that ultimately shifted the game’s momentum. Following the penalty, Penrith had two further chances to score, but both of Cleary’s attempts were thwarted by sturdy Storm defence.
In a post-match interview, Cleary conveyed his disappointment regarding the officials’ ruling, noting uncertainty about what constitutes illegal blocking. He suggested Grant’s fall might have been theatrically exaggerated to secure the penalty for Melbourne. “Yeah, definitely,” he said when asked if he believed Grant was acting.
Ultimately, Grant secured victory for the Storm in extra time with a try under the posts, leading to a final score of 22-18. While Nathan’s father and coach, Ivan Cleary, remained largely tight-lipped in the aftermath, he did mention Grant’s tactical prowess at both ends of the field.
Nathan Cleary elaborated on his frustrations, pointing out the inconsistency around obstruction rules. He argued that if a player were to block during regular play, it wouldn’t warrant a penalty, yet scenarios involving field goals appeared to be treated differently. Cleary contended that Moses Leota hadn’t engaged in significant movement that would warrant an obstruction call.
In contrast, Grant defended the officials’ decision, stating that similar instances have been consistently managed throughout the season. He praised the referees for maintaining integrity in their calls, asserting that any inconsistencies in the rules should be addressed openly.
As a result of this narrow defeat, Penrith might find themselves slipping from the NRL’s top-four standings, depending on the outcome of the Warriors versus Dragons match.