Cleary’s Season Opener Under a Cloud After Trial Incident
Penrith Panthers’ star playmaker Nathan Cleary finds his availability for the opening round of the National Rugby League (NRL) season in serious jeopardy following a sin-binning during his team’s 26-12 trial match defeat to the Wests Tigers. The incident, which occurred at Leichhardt Oval on Friday night, saw the reigning Dally M Medallist sent to the sin bin by referee Ashley Klein for a high tackle on the Tigers’ promising young winger, Heamasi Makasini.
The Panthers’ number seven made contact with Makasini’s jaw as the teenager attempted to field a ball deep in the Tigers’ territory. This lapse in judgment has now placed Cleary’s participation in Penrith’s season-opener against the Brisbane Broncos firmly in the hands of the NRL’s match review committee, who are expected to deliver their findings on Saturday morning.
Adding a layer of concern for Cleary is his disciplinary record from the previous season. He was previously charged with a careless high tackle during last year’s finals series. This history means that if he is issued a grade-two charge for the incident with Makasini, he could face a significant two-game suspension with an early guilty plea, a stark contrast to the usual one-game ban for such an offence.
Potential Replacements and Rising Talent
Should Cleary be sidelined, Jack Cogger is the most likely candidate to step into the five-eighth role. However, Cogger was absent from Friday night’s trial due to a minor niggle, a situation that will undoubtedly be monitored closely by the Panthers’ coaching staff.
On a more positive note for Penrith, the 18-year-old Makasini, the recipient of the high tackle, appeared to emerge from the collision unscathed. Makasini was a significant presence throughout the match for the Tigers, building on his impressive hat-trick performance in Newcastle the previous week with another spectacular try in the first half.
His try showcased a remarkable display of power and athleticism, drawing comparisons to legendary winger Jonah Lomu. Makasini carved out 40 metres, shedding two Penrith defenders before powerfully running over Dylan Edwards, igniting the crowd at Leichhardt Oval. At this early stage of his career, Makasini appears to be a strong contender to secure a starting wing position for the Tigers when the season officially kicks off, despite his youth.
The trial match also provided an engaging contest between Makasini and Panthers winger Brian To’o. To’o was the first to register points for Penrith, latching onto a well-placed cutout pass from Cleary. The early exchanges saw both teams trade blows, with Tigers fullback Jahream Bula and Panthers winger Paul Alamoti each crossing for tries. However, it was Makasini’s explosive run and try that narrowed Penrith’s halftime lead to a mere 12-10.
Cleary’s sin-binning occurred just before the halftime break, and he did not return to the field even after his ten-minute penalty expired.
Second Half Dominance from the Tigers
Following halftime, both Penrith coach Ivan Cleary and his Tigers counterpart, Benji Marshall, opted to rest their key players. This allowed the Tigers to assert their dominance in the closing stages of the match.
The Tigers’ forward pack made a significant impact in the final twenty minutes, with Lachlan Broederlow, winger Luke Laulili, and Heath Mason all contributing tries to seal their convincing trial victory. This strong finish will provide a significant confidence boost for the Wests Tigers as they prepare for the rigours of the upcoming NRL season.
The trial match served as a valuable hit-out for both clubs, offering insights into their squads’ strengths and potential areas for improvement. For Penrith, the primary concern remains the availability of their talismanic halfback, Nathan Cleary, with the match review committee’s decision holding significant weight for their Round 1 ambitions. Meanwhile, the emergence of young talents like Heamasi Makasini offers a bright glimpse into the future for the Wests Tigers.
