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<\/p>\nPenrith star Nathan Cleary has \u201ca very good case\u201d in having his grade two careless high tackle charge downgraded at the NRL judiciary tonight \u2014 and according to one of the NRL\u2019s most prominent player representative lawyers it could set a precedent for the 2026 season.<\/p>\n
The Panthers halfback will front NRL headquarters this evening in a bid to have a grade two careless high tackle charge dropped to a lesser grade one penalty, following his 38th minute shot on Wests Tigers winger Heamasi Makasini in the Panthers\u2019 26-12 loss at Leichhardt Oval on Friday night.<\/p>\n
Sydney criminal lawyer Paul McGirr has successfully represented some of the NRL\u2019s most high-profile names regarding on-field matters, and believes Cleary and his legal team have a strong defence in downgrading the charge.<\/p>\n
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Watch the 2026 NRL Pre-season series LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cFrom my experience he\u2019s got a very good case to run, however it can be quite difficult at the judiciary \u2013 bearing in mind that the proceedings can get bogged down in the real nitty-gritty of technicalities as opposed to looking at the free-flowing game and incidents that occur,\u201d McGirr told foxsports.com.au.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of the points that I\u2019ve made in judiciary hearings that I\u2019ve been involved in is that it has got so nitty-gritty that at one stage we\u2019re arguing about whether a player\u2019s eyes are opened or closed when making a tackle. As I\u2019ve indicated, most players close their eyes when making a tackle as it\u2019s a normal human reflection.\u201d<\/p>\n In June last year, McGirr successfully defended Bulldogs back rower Viliame Kikau at the NRL judiciary, overturning a dangerous contact charge that stemmed from a late challenge on Eels playmaker Mitchell Moses.<\/p>\n Nathan Cleary is sent to the sin bin. Picture: NRL ImagesSource: Supplied<\/p>\n Penrith will reportedly claim that Makasini was falling as Cleary made contact with the Tigers winger \u2013 a defence that McGirr believes can stand up at the judiciary.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m always prepared to go to the judiciary to fight in what I believe is a good defence. Most people that take these particular matters on believe they have a good case,\u201d McGirr said.<\/p>\n \u201cWith all of these matters, particularly in contact sports, not only is the attacking player making the defence or attack unpredictable but also having due care and attention for the other player sometimes is very hard to do. <\/p>\n \u201cWhen you have two forces coming in different directions, as we know, in almost every scenario different results can occur from a very similar incident.\u201d<\/p>\n Get all the latest news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports NRL Sportmail. Sign up now!!! <\/a><\/p>\n Sharks confident ahead of 2026 season | 03:57<\/p>\n MORE VEGAS NEWS<\/p>\n \u2018WE\u2019LL GO\u2019: $1.5m Saudi dream takes shape as Dogs\u2019 Vegas takeover laid bare<\/a><\/p>\n VEGAS CONFIDENTIAL: The wrecking ball all NRL scouts want to see<\/a><\/p>\n VEGAS TEAM TIPS: Dragons\u2019 huge backline boost; two Bulldogs flyers still in doubt<\/a><\/p>\n McGirr believes the NRL judiciary has an opportunity to set a standard when it comes to high contact for the 2026 season with its handling and assessment of the Cleary matter this evening. <\/p>\n He welcomed officials to scrutinise current processes in favour of a more subjective approach.<\/p>\n \u201cWhilst I respect the process, I do know that a lot of clubs don\u2019t bother going to the judiciary because they don\u2019t have great confidence in the system,\u201d McGirr said.<\/p>\n \u201cFortunately, what the NRL has over other judicial hearings is that they normally have some ex-players who have actually played the game and have a better feeling and understanding about situations.<\/p>\n \u201cThe judicial system as it stands need to be looked at very carefully. I have the utmost respect for Mr Bellew [Honourable Geoffrey Bellew AM SC, former Justice of the Supreme Court and current chairperson of the NRL judiciary] and other parties involved, including prosecutions, but I think that certainly needs to be looked at. Almost an identical matter can get a very difficult result. <\/p>\n Nathan Cleary was sent to the sin bin for this contact.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you\u2019re dealing with these particular matters, they always need to be looked at in a subjective matter as opposed to a strict objective one.\u201d<\/p>\n The Panthers are quietly optimistic about having Cleary\u2019s careless high tackle charge downgraded, standing firm that they have sufficient evidence when they head to the judiciary.<\/p>\n To have the matter ruled as a grade one careless high tackle charge, they will need to convince the Match Review Committee that the tackle was of low to moderate force and there were mitigating factors.<\/p>\n If Cleary is successful, he will be free to line up for the Panthers in their round one clash against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium. <\/p>\n