Cleary in Danger of NRL Ban After High Shot in Tigers Showdown
Penrith’s title defense plans have been thrown into sudden doubt and it all centers on one moment at Leichhardt Oval.
Nathan Cleary, the heartbeat of the Penrith Panthers, is now facing an anxious wait after being placed on report for a high shot during a fiery trial against the Wests Tigers. The incident happened when Cleary made contact with rising Tigers talent Heamasi Makasini, catching the 18-year-old high with his shoulder. The referee had no hesitation. Cleary was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes and the home crowd let him hear it.
Now the focus shifts to the NRL’s match review committee. If the tackle is graded at the lower end, Cleary could escape with a fine. But if it’s judged more serious, he could miss Penrith’s season opener against the Brisbane Broncos. And that is where this story becomes bigger than just a trial match.
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The Panthers are chasing another premiership run after falling short against Brisbane in last year’s finals. Opening the new season away from home against the reigning premiers was already a massive test. Doing it without Cleary would change the entire equation. He controls the tempo. He organizes the attack. He leads the side. Without him, the responsibility could fall to Jack Cogger in the halves, a capable player, but not the architect Cleary is.
What makes this more intriguing is that Cleary was otherwise sharp. He set up an early try with a beautiful cutout pass, showing the kind of composure that has defined Penrith’s dominance in recent years. But one mistimed tackle has now put that momentum at risk.
For the Wests Tigers, there was a silver lining. Makasini bounced back, stayed in the game and even produced a stunning try that had the crowd on its feet. It was a statement performance from a young squad building belief under coach Benji Marshall. A 26–12 win over a powerhouse like Penrith, even in a trial, sends a message.
But the bigger picture is clear. Player safety remains front and center in the NRL. High contact is under scrutiny and even the game’s biggest names are not immune.
The decision on Cleary’s fate is expected soon and it could shape the opening week of the season. Stay with us as we track the review outcome and what it means for Penrith, for Brisbane and for the 2026 NRL campaign.
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