Nathan Cleary Cleared to Play in NRL Season Opener After Judiciary Victory
Penrith Panthers star halfback Nathan Cleary has successfully avoided suspension after a bold gamble at the NRL judiciary, securing his place for the team's season opener against the Brisbane Broncos. The father-son duo of Nathan and coach Ivan Cleary proved triumphant once again, with Ivan personally arguing the case that led to a downgrade of the charge against his son.
Cleary's Charge Downgraded After Brief Deliberation
Nathan Cleary had been facing a grade-two careless high tackle charge for a hit on Wests Tigers winger Heamasi Makasini during a trial match last Friday. The incident occurred when Cleary rushed out of the defensive line and made contact as Makasini juggled the ball. Initially, Cleary was expected to miss Penrith's first two games against Brisbane and Cronulla if he accepted an early guilty plea.
Instead, Cleary opted to contest the charge, risking an additional match on the sidelines if unsuccessful. However, the gamble paid off handsomely when the judiciary panel, consisting of Ryan James and Greg McCullum, agreed to downgrade the charge after just twelve minutes of deliberation. This decision means Cleary will only receive a fine and is free to play immediately.
Father-Son Combination Delivers Another Win
Ivan Cleary took on the role of advocate rather than relying on legal counsel, calmly presenting the case that his son had demonstrated a duty of care during the tackle. He argued that Nathan had planted his feet in anticipation of the collision and made shoulder-to-shoulder contact, aiming to create force without unnecessary risk. Nathan himself testified to the panel, explaining that he rushed towards Makasini to prevent the winger from gaining momentum, stating, "If I stand back and he gets momentum, I risk becoming a speedbump."
The NRL's legal counsel, Lachlan Gyles, chose not to cross-examine Cleary but maintained that the halfback had increased the risk by approaching Makasini at speed. Despite this, the panel was convinced by the Clearys' arguments, adding another judiciary success to their resumes alongside their four consecutive premiership victories.
Significant Boost for Penrith Panthers
Cleary's availability is a major boost for the Penrith Panthers, who experienced a slow start to the 2025 season, sitting at the bottom of the ladder after twelve rounds before rallying to make the top eight. The team's campaign ended in a preliminary final loss to the eventual premiers, the Brisbane Broncos, which halted their streak of four straight premierships. With Cleary now cleared to play, the Panthers will look to start the new season on a strong note as they seek to reclaim their dominant form.
This outcome underscores the strategic acumen of the Cleary partnership and sets the stage for an exciting NRL season opener, with Penrith aiming to bounce back from last year's disappointment. The judiciary's decision not only preserves Cleary's playing time but also reinforces the importance of careful argumentation in sports disciplinary proceedings.
