Ivan Cleary has delivered an emphatic response to whether son Nathan could cop a suspension for a dangerous tackle which resulted in a sin bin during Penrith’s Week 1 finals win over the Roosters.
The Panthers’ halfback attempted a charge down on Hugo Savala but collected the Roosters playmaker in the leg and was given his marching orders right before half time.
Watch every game of every round of the Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Speaking on Fox League, Matty Johns believes Cleary may find himself in hot water.
“He could be facing a two or three weeks suspension,” Johns said on Finals Footy with Matty Johns.
However, the Penrith coach doesn’t believe Nathan has a case to answer.
“God no. Of course not,” Cleary responded when asked if the incident was worth a ban.
“I thought it (sin bin) was the right decision at the time. He obviously had plenty of time and I probably didn’t expect it … I thought it was the right call.
“I mean he’s just trying to make a play, so I think he’s probably thinking the right thing there but the angle was wrong and under the current rules, it is what it is.
“I don’t think Hugo is injured. It’s a black and white sort of thing we’ve brought into the game.
“I must say that the same thing happened to Nathan near the goalposts earlier in the game, so yeah, anyway.
“We did a decent job (while Nathan was out). We managed our way through that period and it was a dogfight.”
Panthers overcome double Cleary scare | 02:22
The Panthers’ superstar half admitted post-game that the play on Savala was “stupid” and that he felt “guilty” when spending his ten minutes sidelined.
Cleary returned with 31 minutes remaining and helped his side eek out a gritty 19-12 win, kicking a field goal to put Penrith up by a point inside the final ten minutes.
There would be further drama late when Cleary copped what he called a “bump to the foot” and couldn’t kick the match-sealing conversion with two minutes left.
“I copped a little bump on the foot and it was a pretty important kick so I just wanted Dyl (Edwards) to take it. I wasn’t sure how the foot was going to hold up so it was just precautionary to be honest,” Cleary said.
Ivan however stated there could be some cause for concern, although the week off for Penrith will help.
“There’s something wrong. I don’t I don’t know what it is … No one has had a look at it yet,” he said.
The Panthers will play in their seventh preliminary final in as many seasons. They’ll play the winner of next Sunday’s Warriors-Knights clash.