Cleary to play in GF after escaping charge over lifting tackle
Star half Nathan Cleary will be available for next Sunday’s grand final after escaping a ban for a lifting tackle in the first half against the Melbourne Storm.
Cleary had already set up the opening try of the game with a pinpoint kick to Stephen Crichton, before lifting Storm’s Kenny Bromwich in the 21st minute in a two-man tackle with Paul Momirovski.
The back of Bromwich’s head hit the turf after the tackle, with Cleary shaking his head after being immediately placed on report.
But Mick Ennis said on Fox League that: ‘you can’t miss a grand final for that’, while coach Ivan Cleary delivered a blunt reponse when asked if he thinks Nathan will be in hot water over the incident.
Cleary declared: “No ... I think he will be (fine).”
The NRL agreed, with Cleary not even charged for the incident despite being placed on report.
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Teammates James Fisher-Harris and Stephen Crichton were also charged but are only facing fines.
Fisher-Harris was charged for a head slam on Felise Kaufusi but only had one prior non-similar offence in the last two years.
Crichton, meanwhile, was charged for grade one contrary conduct.
He had two prior similar offences in the last two years and one non-similar prior offence.
The NRL in 2020 introduced a rule that allowed players to take an extra fine for finals to stop them missing finals games for minor offences.
Elsewhere, in a blow for the Storm, Harry Grant is looking at time on the sidelines for a crusher tackle on Dylan Edwards.
He is facing two weeks if found guilty at the panel but just one with the early plea.
The Cleary charge ignited a debate within the Fox League commentary team at the time.
“That is a dangerous tackle, this is drama, this is Cleary,” Andrew Voss said in commentary for Fox League.
“A dangerous tackle has up-ended Kenny Bromwich. That is one absolutely on report and one for the match review committee.
“Mark it down 21st minute. This is a controversial moment in the game.”
“No he is fine, he lands on his back,” Ennis replied.
“I have got no problem with that.
“I don’t think he has anything to worry about at all there Nathan Cleary. You can’t miss a grand final for that!”
Ennis said: “He landed on his shoulder. He gets picked up, it’s Momirovski that slightly falls.”
But Voss said: “They take a dim view of the grip between the legs (from Cleary).”
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Panthers coach Ivan Cleary was confident his superstar son would be cleared to play the final. When asked if he was concerned over Nathan being in trouble, he said: “No ... I think he will be (fine).”
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