Nathan Cleary sin binned for dangerous kicker contact
Cleary was sin binned in the first half for contact on Roosters kicker Hugo Savala while charging down a kick.
Nathan Cleary rushed to block a kick from Hugo Savala with seconds left in the first half, but missed the ball and made contact with the kicker's leg instead. Referee Gerard Sutton sent him to the sin bin, saying the action carried force, posed injury risk, and was very dangerous.
Cleary put his head in his hands immediately, knowing the penalty was coming. The score was locked at 12-12 when he left the field.
Savala then missed his penalty goal attempt as tempers flared between the teams. Liam Martin and Spencer Leniu clashed in a brief melee, but Isaah Yeo calmed things down before any other players were sent off.
- 12-12
- Score when binned
- 15 metres
- Penalty goal distance
- CommBank Stadium
- Venue
Why it mattersA sin bin in a finals match shifts momentum when scores are close and can prove the game's turning point.
AustraliaThe incident unfolded in the NRL grand final between Penrith and Sydney, the season's biggest match for Australian rugby league fans.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 11 d ago
