Panthers head coach Ivan Cleary has expressed concerns over troubling developments in the NRL match review committee, particularly after his team lost a key player for two weeks due to suspension. Recent reports indicated that the ARL Commission is considering taking more direct control over judicial matters, a change met with resistance from the RLPA, who described it as an “unprecedented overreach of extra judicial power.”
During a press conference, Cleary shared his apprehensions about the Commission’s lack of confidence in the Match Review Committee (MRC), suggesting that if trust in the current system is lacking, it should be addressed rather than implementing a new framework that could undermine it. He cited a specific incident involving player Scott Sorensen, who was charged with dangerous contact after a tackle that was not initially penalised. Sorensen’s tackle resulted in the injury of Warriors player Dallin Watene-Zelezniak during the Panthers’ recent victory.
Cleary expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling against Sorensen, arguing that the tackle was a standard rugby league move and should not have warranted a suspension. He highlighted the ambiguity surrounding the hip drop rule, noting that it confuses coaches and players alike. Furthermore, he lamented that the decision to suspend Sorensen arose after a post-game review, when it was clear that no one at the match, including officials and spectators, deemed the tackle problematic at the time.
He also stated that accidents occur in sports and suggested that not all injuries should lead to disciplinary actions. This incident, he believes, underscores a need for a reevaluation of how such matters are handled. When questioned if the club opted for an early guilty plea rather than contesting the charge, Cleary responded with a knowing smile, indicating the tough situation they were in.
As the Panthers prepare to face the top-of-the-ladder Bulldogs in an upcoming match, the implications of these judiciary changes and how they handle player suspensions continue to be a focal point of discussion within the NRL.