Nathan Cleary has been hit with a two-game ban following his high-tackle on Wests Tigers sensation Heamasi Makasini with plenty of confusion around whether he will still be in the running for the Dally M award in 2026. Cleary is set to miss the opening two NRL games of Penrith’s season after he was slapped with a two-game ban on Saturday morning for collecting Makasini high during Penrith’s trial loss against the Tigers.
Cleary was given 10 minutes in the bin for the ugly incident and will now have to fight the ban if he wants to feature against the Brisbane Broncos or Sharks to start the NRL season. However, the two game ban prompted suggestions he will be ineligible for the Dally M award.
Chad Townsend and fans have claimed it will be harsh on Nathan Cleary (pictured right) if he is already eligible for the Dally M award after his two-game ban from the NRL trials. (Images: Fox Sports/Getty Images)
The NRL rules state a player becomes ineligible to win the award if they are hit with a two game, or more, ban throughout the season. Unless the Panthers and Cleary choose to fight the charge and win, he will be missing the opening two games of the season.
Although reporter David Riccio confirmed Cleary will still be eligible for the individual award because the incident occurred during trials. Regardless, it has prompted calls for a major change.
Many fans have suggested the NRL need to re-think the Dally M criteria with players afforded more leeway when it comes to being ruled out. Others feel carry over points from the previous season is outdated. With the NRL cracking down on high tackles and dangerous contact in recent years there is an increased chance of suspension compared to 10 years ago.
Harry Grant was ruled out last year after copping a two-game ban and it prompted calls for the rules to change. And former Sharks and Cowboys halfback Chad Townsend said it would be unfortunate for Cleary to be ruled out for an incident that occurred before the start of the season.
“This is something I’ve thought about since the news broke this morning,” Townsend said on SEN Radio on Saturday. “I think he would be hard done by if he goes on to have a fantastic season and then is now ineligible to win the Dally M because of that.
“Is that fair? I don’t think so.” However, this has now been clarified with Cleary still in the running for the Dally M.
NRL finals charge comes back to bite Nathan Cleary
The issue for Cleary was he copped a careless high tackle charge in last year’s finals series when he took out Connor Tracey against the Bulldogs. The carry over points saw him cop a two-game ban after a grade-two charge. The Penrith Panthers might choose to fight the charge, considering it is two important games, at the NRL judiciary, but if unsuccessful he will miss three games.
The halfback’s absence in round one would be a blow with Cleary headlining the blockbuster showdown against the Reece Walsh’s Broncos outfit. Regardless, coach Ivan Cleary won’t be too concerned with Cleary looking in good form during the NRL trial match against the Wests Tigers having set up Brian To’o with a beautiful cut-out pass.
Nathan Cleary (pictured) is facing a two-game ban to start the NRL season.
(Jason McCawley via Getty Images)