The Penrith Panthers have told Yahoo Sport Australia that Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo were unavailable for the NRL finals series launch on Monday morning because it was too tight a turnaround from their game against the Wests Tigers on Sunday afternoon. On Tuesday, veteran reporter James Hooper questioned why the Panthers were the only Australian team that didn’t send their proper captain, while the NRL are reportedly “not thrilled about”.
The eight captains of the finals teams assembled in Sydney on Monday morning for photos and media interviews. The Dolphins, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Knights, Sharks and Cowboys all sent their official captains – Tom Gilbert, James Tedesco, Cameron Murray, Kalyn Ponga, Blayke Brailey and Tom Dearden.
Nathan Cleary wasn’t at the NRL finals series launch on Monday morning (L), but appeared on Channel 9 on Monday night (R). Image: NRL/Channel 9
Only the Warriors and Panthers had different players there who aren’t the official captains. The Warriors sent Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is injured and ruled out for the rest of the NRL season.
James Fisher-Harris stayed at home in Auckland, which is probably fair enough considering the Warriors play at home on Saturday and the NRL wouldn’t ask him to travel overseas twice in quick succession. But the fact that Scott Sorensen was there representing the Panthers raised a few eyebrows.
Tom Gilbert, Kalyn Ponga, Scott Sorensen, Blayke Brailey, Cameron Murray, Roger Tuivasa Sheck, Tom Dearden and James Tedesco at the NRL finals launch. (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi)
The Panthers declined to make an official comment when contacted by Yahoo, but explained that the 7am media call would have meant one of the players had to leave home in the Blue Mountains before 6am to make it to the city in time. It would have negatively affected their recovery after the 4pm game on Sunday afternoon, especially with Yeo dealing with a torn pec that requires extensive treatment.
The Panthers therefore sent Sorensen because he didn’t play against the Tigers and therefore didn’t need to recover. As for Cleary, he appeared on Channel 9 program ‘Footy Classified’ on Monday night despite missing the finals launch.
James Hooper slams ‘poor form’ from Panthers
According to Tom Decent of The Sydney Morning Herald, the absence of Cleary and Yeo was “something the NRL are not thrilled about.” Discussing the situation on the ‘Rugby League Insider’ podcast on Tuesday, Hooper labelled it “poor form” from Penrith.
“Every other NRL captain with the exception of the Wahs made it,” Hooper said. “I can wear that the Wahs sent Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, but Tom Dearden made it from Townsville, Tom Gilbert made it from Redcliffe, Kalyn Ponga made it from Newcastle, but Isaah Yeo and Nathan couldn’t make it.
“I think it’s poor form from Penrith. And then Nathan bobbed up on Channel 9 on Monday night. Come on.”
