Nathan Cleary faces a nervous wait after being sin-binned for a “very dangerous” act as the Penrith Panthers beat the Sydney Roosters 19-12 in an enthralling qualifying final.
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Cleary may also have an issue with his foot as Penrith survived his 10 minutes off the field to earn the week off.
Cleary knew he was in strife from the moment he ran through his rival’s legs, with referee Gerard Sutton left with no choice but to march him.
“There’s force in it, it’s very dangerous and a high risk of injury,” Sutton said.
Players have been suspended for similar incidents in the past, with Cleary facing a one-game ban if he cops a grade two dangerous contact charge.
Ivan Cleary helped him win at the judiciary in the pre-season, with the Panthers hoping the match review committee doesn’t come down too hard on the world’s best player.
Jack Cogger will be available after missing three games through suspension, while Blaize Talagi could also be an option in the halves if Cleary is banned after he returned at right centre with Luke Garner (groin) ruled out.
Talagi has been much-maligned this year for his defence but more than held his own on Sunday and rushed Hugo Savala into a poor pass that led to Brian To’o’s try to seal the win.
Blaize Talagi rushed up in defence.Source: FOX SPORTS
There were fireworks moments after Cleary left the field with former teammates Spencer Leniu and Liam Martin involved in a melee after Hugo Savala missed a penalty goal to leave it 12-all at half-time.
As for the injury, Cleary told Finals Footy with Matty Johns that he “copped a little bump on the foot” and was “not sure” how it was going to hold up goal-kicking, describing it as more “precautionary” than anything.
Cleary didn’t look himself running around in the minutes after the injury though, spotting hopping after his final kick in what Michael Ennis said would be a major “question mark” hanging over the star halfback along with his judiciary fate.
“There is something wrong with it. I don’t know what it is,” Ivan Cleary said post-game.
Cleary admits to ‘super stupid decision’ | 02:53
I CAN SEE CLEARY NOW
Penrith’s ability to repel the Roosters with Cleary in the bin won them the game, with their champion halfback unsurprisingly doing what he does best by nailing the big moment when his rival wasn’t able to.
The Panthers now have the week off after Cleary coolly slotted a field goal with nine minutes remaining, with the Roosters unable to apply any pressure on the representative legend who nailed it from 19 metres out.
Roosters counterpart Daly Cherry-Evans was brought to the club to ice these moments, but he sliced his close range effort from directly in front.
Cleary’s one-pointer was all that separated the sides, with fullback Dylan Edwards producing a Herculean effort with 28 runs for 210 metres, with his 13th seeing him slice through some exhausted defenders to score just before half-time.
He was the best player on the field, with Brian To’o pouncing on a loose ball to seal the win with three minutes to go and celebrated with a little dance in the in-goal.
Could Walker make a return next week? | 07:00
ORIGINAL SIN
The Roosters desperately needed Sam Walker out there on Sunday as their attack struggled to trouble the competition’s best defence.
The halfback could return for the preliminary final if they get there, with Cherry-Evans and Savala unable to produce the magic Walker can deliver.
They had their moments with Robert Toia scoring a nice try down the right edge, but they have their concerns with Egan Butcher failing his head injury assessment, while Nat Butcher is on report for a crusher tackle.
They now host the Sharks next week, with the Dolphins waiting for them in the grand final qualifier if they survive.
Melee IGNITES after Cleary sin bin | 01:30
CIRCUS ACTS
Mark Nawaqanitawase has walked the tightrope down the sideline and produced flick passes that would make Benji Marshall proud.
But he can add juggling to his repertoire after his incredible intercept put the Roosters in front in the first half.
Having already picked off one pass to save a try, the human highlight reel intercepted a Lindsay Smith ball near halfway after juggling it, then did a forward roll on the ground, picked himself up and ran 45 metres to score.
He wasn’t the only one to dazzle the crowd, with Panthers superstar Liam Martin flying high to reel in a Cleary kick to open the scoring.
‘We can’t do anything Mark can do!’ | 00:36
JUDICIARY WATCH
Nat Butcher was placed on report late in the first half for a crusher tackle. He has two charges in the past 12 months.
Nathan Cleary was sin binned and placed on report on the half time siren for contacting the legs of Hugo Savala. He has two unrelated high tackle charges in the past 12 months.
Panthers overcome double Cleary scare | 02:22
STAT ATTACK (via Fox Lab)
Expected Set Points: Penrith 24.9, Roosters 19.2
A good defensive effort from both teams, Penrith had 54 percent possession with 79 tackles to 39 in the opposition half including 31 to 16 in the attacking 20
Penrith into a seventh straight Prelim Final. Have won their last four games, conceding an average of just 11.5 points. Panthers maintain their dominant week 1 finals record – have won 12 of 15 since 1991.
Only the second time in the past decade the Roosters have lost four straight games – on both occasions the fourth loss was against Penrith. Roosters first loss at Commbank Stadium against any team but Parramatta – had won all seven games prior. First time Trent Robinson has lost three straight finals as a coach.
Penrith maintain their dominant record against the Roosters – have now won 13 from 15 since 2020, including all three finals.
Another poor ball handling performance from the Roosters, for another loss. Completed just 73 percent of their sets – at less than 75 percent this season their record is 3-6.
Brian To’o’s late try was his 18th in a finals match – he now trails only Billy Slater (23) for most all time finals tries.
Fox Lab POTM – Dylan Edwards was the difference in a tight encounter – scoring the crucial try of the match just before half time. He carried the ball almost 30 times for over 200 metres, busting nine tackles and offloading three times.
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