Panthers captain Nathan Cleary has apologised after being sent off for a horror spear tackle on Parramatta five-eighth Dylan Brown.
But the star halfback is facing a five-match ban for the incident, after being hit with a Grade 3 charge by the NRL judiciary overnight.
Cleary took to Instagram after Penrith’s 34-10 defeat, admitting he ‘let the boys and the fans down’.
“Massive apologies for tonight. Filthy at myself for such a dumb moment that let the boys and the fans down,” Cleary wrote.
“I’m not about that, it was terrible technique and I need to be better.”
Cleary would need to risk a six-match suspension to challenge the verdict, which would leave him unavailable for the Panthers’ first final.
A five-game ban after an early plea will sideline him for the remainder of the home-and-away season.
Nathan became the first Panther to be dismissed in a decade and a week exactly, since Travis Burns against the Roosters in July 2012 for a high shot on Martin Kennedy.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary was quick to admit his son deserved to be sent off.
“It’s not what we want,” said Ivan. “I was looking at the incident there and it was a two-man tackle that turned into a one-man tackle, and that had something to do with it, but at the end of the day, he ended up in a position that we don’t want and he’s been sent from the field and we can’t argue with that.
“Nat was underneath and Liam Martin at the top, and Fish (James Fisher-Harris) was going to come in too. Nat took his base away and probably lifted a little bit too much. We would expect that point for the guys at the top to control that part of it but there was no control there and that’s how it ended up where it did.”
The halfback was ordered off for a spear tackle on Brown in the 18th minute with the score standing at 12-4.
The tackle looked bad immediately, and referee Todd Smith did not flinch. “Hands in between the legs, drove him into the ground, you’re off” was the explanation for one of the most sensational send-offs in years.
“That is a real bad one,” said Andrew Johns on the 9 coverage. “He gets him in a terrible position.”
Jonathan Thurston said that Cleary could expect a long sit down.
“It was very uncharacteristic from Nathan,” he said. “I don’t see him as a dirty player but he’s got his hand in that position near his groin and he’s lifted him up and he drove him into the ground.
“You can see the intention’s there to lift him. And it’s gone horribly wrong for him. I don’t think he’s a dirty player at all, this is not in his game but he’s made the second effort with his leg and got him in a dangerous position. He’s going to have a lengthy stint on the sideline.”
Paul Gallen claimed “at the start of the season that’s not a send-off offence”. He said he deserved to be marched but should only attract a grade-two dangerous throw charge which equates to a two-match ban. A grade-three charge would mean Cleary cops four weeks out.
“It’s a send-off every day of the week,” Thurston countered.
On Fox, Greg Alexander said that Todd Smith made the only call available to him.
“I don’t think the ref had any option,” said the Panthers legend. “His hands were tied. It’s a spear tackle and the bloke ended up on his head. The referee said hands between the legs, which they were, and that’s what the refs look for. He had no other option but to send Nathan.”
Bill
Guest
Your probably right in Lodge but anyone would have to agree Luais a strong contender. With Cleary some might be jealous but it's more he gets favourable decisions hence all the jokes in this thread. The point I was contending anyway was not who's the most hated but whether its talent driving the hate which it obviously isn't as per the Schumacher, Gretzky, Jordan argument.
Bludog
Roar Rookie
I refuse to take brain health advice from an ex NRL player who now makes a living getting punched in the head :laughing:
Fraser
Roar Rookie
Actually, it’s most likely Matt Lodge, followed by Josh McGuire, then Luai. With Cleary it’s more jealousy and annoyance that he seems to get away with a few careless tackles on the field, combined with some poor choices off the field. Every fan would be stoked if he played for their team.
Ben Pobjie
Expert
Don’t get me wrong, those actions I’d be happy to see assigned red cards too
Get_real
Roar Rookie
Dylan Brown is to blame for being such a lightweight! Hopefully Penrith use the 4-6 weeks to work out how to get Cleary to not do so much defensive work, he really didn't need to be making that tackle, you would never see Reynolds or Moses (serious) involved unless they absolutely need to be.
NSWelshman
Roar Rookie
So Cleary is filthy with himself coz he let the club & fans down.......WOW. Nothing to say to Dylan Brown? No apology? What a great person....NOT! A grub yes! Should have got 10 weeks.
Bill
Guest
I do rate Cleary he is talented, the rest not so much. Nearly everyone who plays 1st grade has talent, not all are hated. If you really think talent is the defining factor in hate then Schumacher, Gretzky, Churchill,Bolt and Jordan must be some of the most hated sportspeople of all time. The players I noted are some of the biggest grubs in the last 10 years and have been consistently named in polls for least liked players. They are hated for being grubs,plain and simple not scared of talent. Playing rep, grand finals or success has nothing to do with the topic of players hated. So your logic is the more talent makes opposition fans scared therefore they hate? It's obvious your just getting a bit emotional as you thought I was attacking your Panthers. Every team has its grubs and I don't like any of them.
Chris
Guest
All those players you listed have played many games in first grade . Haven’t they all played at SOO level too? Even Josh Reynolds got to 2 grand finals. So what’s your point? Is it that they were or are all good players? Point taken! :stoked:
Davico
Roar Pro
“MAMMOTH”??? He should have got more!
What the !
Guest
Penrith’s halves have been to 2 GF’s in the last 2 years. They’ve led from the front. The teams current position is due to those halves in a big way. ( Noticed that you left Cleary out of your sarcastic reply ). They may get back to another GF this season? So kid yourself anyway you like , about others not being worried about the Penrith halves.
Bill
Guest
Yes what you say makes perfect sense. Everyone is/was just scared of Luai, Paul Gallen, Michael Ennis,Josh Reynolds and Josh McGuire's talent.
Ryan
Guest
Nathan starting shaving his chin when he was 15... And now he's nearly finished.
Poss
Roar Rookie
Absolutely Chris well said????...
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Gagai landed about 6 on Burton’s face.
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
“Gagai gets nothing in a SOO game for punching someone out”. Did either player in that fight actually land a punch ? ….must have been 20 plus thrown though.
Chris
Guest
There’s plenty of the ramming of an opposition players head into the ground lately , on purpose. Using your forearm. Melbourne & Roosters seem to think that they’re fine , as do the referees. Punching someone out during a game is making a comeback. Evidently that’s fine too? Yet a tackle above the horizontal, you want to see as an automatic send off?
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Did you seriously have to go back 4 years to find a single example of a red card to support your argument? How much time did you spend on that? Not sure that one example of a red card from 4 years ago outweighs 3 yellow cards from the last few weeks.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
I'm sure you missed one there..
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing:
Paul
Guest
NRL 2018: Storm centre Curtis Scott gets sent off for punching Sea Eagles star Dylan Walker. You’re talking about one ‘ perhaps it’s a punch? If you’re talking about an actual fight with multiple punches . Started by one player. That above is what happens. :thumbup: