Veteran reporter Phil Rothfield believes the Panthers should have been awarded a penalty for Ezra Mam\u2019s contact on Nathan Cleary at a crucial stage of yesterday\u2019s preliminary final.<\/p>\n
With only 25 minutes remaining in the game and the Panthers leading 14-6, it appeared as though Mam had made contact on Cleary when he was in the air as he was putting in a kick.<\/p>\n
But it was the Broncos who instead received the penalty because Panthers star Liam Martin ran in and became involved. Martin was fined $1000 over the incident.<\/p>\n
Watch every game of the NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series before the Grand Final, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n But closer examination of video footage on NRL 360 on Monday night suggested the officials in fact made the right call not to penalise Mam, given that Cleary\u2019s foot was on the ground when Mam made initial contact with him, and therefore Cleary wasn\u2019t tackled in the air.<\/p>\n But Rothfield felt the Panthers were hard done by.<\/p>\n \u201cNo question at all that he\u2019s been tackled in the air while kicking the football,\u201d Rothfield said.<\/p>\n \u201cPenrith deserved the penalty. Absolutely they did.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a penalty. Tackled in the air. It is. I\u2019ve spoken to the NRL about it. I\u2019ve sent them the still frames.\u201d<\/p>\n But host Braith Anasta had a different view.<\/p>\n \u201cHis foot\u2019s on the ground. It\u2019s a no penalty,\u201d Anasta said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe tackled him exactly how you\u2019re supposed to. He wrapped his arms around him and takes him to the ground.\u201d<\/p>\n But Rothfield fired back at Anasta.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve talked you through the rules. You can\u2019t tackle a man in the air. There he is in the air,\u201d Rothfield said.<\/p>\n However, Anasta felt the footage told the story.<\/p>\n \u201cWe just paused it when his foot was on the ground and he was touching him,\u201d Anasta said.<\/p>\n But Rothfield doubled down.<\/p>\n \u201cOh mate, it was that much. Come on,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter,\u201d Anasta replied.<\/p>\n Rothfield reiterated his point.<\/p>\n \u201cMate, we\u2019re not in the bunker. Seriously,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was an illegal tackle, mate.\u201d<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n DYNASTY OVER: Reynolds\u2019 clutch kick ends Panthers\u2019 reign in 16-pt prelim miracle<\/a><\/p>\n BRONCOS RATINGS: Haas herculean, Walsh recovers from blunder; Reynolds clutch<\/a><\/p>\n