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It did not end up having an impact on the result but the NRL has slammed a refereeing blunder in the Panthers’ win over the Storm as “simply unacceptable” — and conceded it could impact who will officiate the grand final.
Cleary escaped punishment for a lifting tackle in Penrith’s 10-6 win over Melbourne, meaning he will be available to steer the Panthers around against the Rabbitohs in the decider.
The halfback though seemed to have also got away with more than just that.
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As pointed out by Fox League’s Andrew Voss, Cleary appeared to move his attempted conversion for Penrith’s second try well in from the mark.
A slick left-edge move saw Brian To’o race over in the corner and plant the ball down.
Cleary though moved the kicking tee in from the sideline and was not pulled up.
“Watching the replay, To’o put the ball down a metre in from touch. Nathan might have crept in a little bit closer,” Voss said.
“That wouldn’t happen would it?”
The NRL’s head of football, Graham Annesley, told The Sydney Morning Herald that the error is “simply unacceptable” and suggested it could cost referee Gerard Sutton the chance to officiate the grand final.
“I’ve asked for an explanation as to how this could have possibly happened, but regardless of the reason it is simply unacceptable,” Annesley said.
“I can understand a split-second judgment error in general play, but this is a basic procedural matter that should never occur.
“Thankfully the kick missed so no advantage was gained, but we will further consider the implications of the error when we meet to review both games (on Monday) morning.”
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If Cleary had been successful it could have come under greater scrutiny if Melbourne scored to draw level at 12-all.
Sutton was in charge of all three State of Origin games this year, however if the NRL was to punish Sutton, it would cost him the chance to referee five straight grand finals.
Annesley is expected to address the issue at his weekly football briefing on Monday.
Vision also emerged on social media on Sunday morning of a screenshot showing Stephen Crichton’s foot on the sideline when he scored Penrith’s first try of the game.
There was no issue whatsoever with that try though, with replays showing Crichton grounded the Cleary kick well inside the in-goal area.
It was only after he grounded the ball that he stepped out.
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