In Australia, Nathan Cleary avoids suspension after NRL playoff sin-bin
In Australia, Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary will be able to play in the NRL preliminary final despite being sent to the sin-bin in the playoff match against the Sydney Roosters. The player was charged with a grade one offence for dangerous contact with the leg of Hugo Savala, who was kicking, ABC News Australia reports.
A fine instead of suspension
The incident occurred in the qualifying final, which Penrith won 19-12. Cleary was sent to the sin-bin late in the first half for dangerous contact with Savala.
A grade one charge carries a fine of 1,000 Australian dollars if an early guilty plea is entered. Therefore, the player faces no suspension. Had the incident been classified as a grade two offence, Cleary could have received a one-match suspension and missed the preliminary final.
In 2024, Manly prop Josh Aloiai and South Sydney forward Jacob Host received grade two charges for contact with players who were kicking.
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Questions over a foot injury
With the threat of suspension removed, Cleary has two weeks to recover his right foot. At the end of the game against the Roosters, the 28-year-old rugby player was limping, while Dylan Edwards took the final conversion for the Panthers.
After the match, Cleary said he had sustained a minor knock to his foot and described the decision not to take the conversion as a precaution. His father and the team's head coach, Ivan Cleary, however, acknowledged that there was “something wrong” with the player's foot.
In the preliminary final, Penrith will face the winner of the match between the Warriors and the Newcastle Knights. The Sydney Roosters will meet the Cronulla Sharks for the right to advance to a match against the Dolphins.
