Nathan Cleary’s careless high tackle charge was downgraded on Monday, in a case that lasted just 12 minutes, which means that the Panthers halfback will be right to start the 2026 NRL season instead of missing two or three games.
The Panthers star flew out of the line to put a shot on 18-year-old Heamasi Makasini in a trial match played on Friday evening, with his shoulder impacting the rookie winger’s head. The Match Review Committee originally handed Cleary a two-match ban (Grade 2), though that has now been dropped to a Grade 1 charge and a $1,800 fine.
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The Clearys — Ivan represented his son at the hearing — used three still images to convince the judiciary in just 12 minutes that the initial tackle contact was to the shoulder and that it didn’t warrant Cleary missing any games.
Ivan said the tackle didn’t create a great degree of force to the head or neck because it was shoulder to shoulder. Makasini’s head not recoiling was one of the key pieces of evidence, as was the fact no HIA was needed. “If the direct force was with his head, his head would have dropped away,” the Panthers head coach explained to the independent judges.
It was enough — Clearly’s free to play in Round 1, which formally started this week in Vegas. The ruling also means Cleary could still win the Dally M Medal this year. (Any two-game-plus ban usually rules players out of the running.)
“He’s already resting on his laurels, but I definitely thank him because it’s a big effort,” Nathan said, on his dad’s efforts.
“I’m disappointed I had to put him through that little extra work that he had to do outside his normal job, but I’m grateful for his effort. I had no say in the matter [him representing me], but he was pretty confident.
“There were mixed thoughts because the last few times he’s been to the judiciary, it hasn’t worked out too well.
“But I trust him, and we thought we had a pretty good case. I’m glad the panel could see that.”
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The decision has drawn the ire of the NRL world, with some suggesting the Panthers have “gotten away scot free,” while a leading neuroscientist, concussion expert, Dr Alan Pearce, a Professor at Swinburne University, said he was outraged. “It just seems like a case of wanting the player back, but there’s such a clear lack of medical understanding,” Dr Pearce said.
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“There is still a significant force to his head, and this is a brain injury,” he warned. “If these sports were truly serious, then there should be no excuse for a technical let-off like this. We can’t keep playing games with a person’s brain.”
The Panthers play reigning premiers the Broncos in their first round match on March 6.
