‘Shouldn’t say that’: Ivan Cleary names and shames Bunker over ‘terrible decision’

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has named and shamed Bunker official Chris Butler after going scorched earth on a “terrible” call.

The Penrith Panthers are through to a fifth straight Grand Final after downing the Cronulla Sharks 26-6 to put themselves among the greatest dynasties in rugby league history.

The Panthers have become the first team since the 1967-1971 Rabbitohs to make five straight deciders and are looking to become the first time since the legendary St George team of 1956-1966 to claim four straight.

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While there was a worry late when Nathan Cleary clutched his injured shoulder, it was little more than a twinge as the Panthers appeared to be primed for a tilt at an unprecedented four-peat against the Melbourne Storm.

But in his post-match press conference, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary turned the blowtorch on the referee and the Bunker officials, lashing a “terrible” obstruction decision.

In the 58th minute, the Panthers shifted the ball wide with Sunia Turuva scoring in the corner, which should have opened up a 14-2 lead with a kick to come.

However, on the inside, the Panthers’ Luke Garner and Sharks’ Siosifa Talakai came together, with Bunker official Chris Butler claiming Garner hit Talakai’s “outside shoulder”.

The Bunker said this was Talakai's "outside shoulder" … Photo: Fox Sports

The rest of the NRL disagreed though, as it was clear he hit Talakai’s inside shoulder, as the Sharks centre instigated the contact.

After it was ruled an obstruction, the Sharks went straight down the other end, scoring their first — and only — try of the match, making it 10-6.

Although the Panthers romped on to claim the win, Cleary lashed out at the Bunker decision.

“The only time they scored, we should have scored two sets before that,” he said.

“There was an obstruction try, which was a terrible decision, and that gives me a lot of anxiety around next week if that Bunker official, which I think was Chris Butler — I shouldn’t say that … that was wrong.

“It’s been happening all year. They shouldn’t have even scored, we shouldn’t have been down there.

“It was the one time we actually sorted our stuff out and ran the play perfectly, ran to the inside shoulder, Sifa initiated contact so that worries me about next week if that same Bunker official, either he or someone else is going off the same script. I’m concerned.”

Cleary named and shamed Butler. Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Pressed further on his take on the obstruction rule, Cleary said: “I like to think I don’t talk about referees or Bunkers or things that we can’t control, but when Wayne Bennett, the best of all-time, came out and said after their game against Newcastle (in round 27) — and he was 100 per cent right — he said someone was going to suffer in the finals and, we got through it obviously, but it’s just terrible.

“He has no understanding of what we’re actually trying to do when it’s run properly. Sifa got taken off straight after because I think Fitzy knew how fatigued he was. That pretty much says it all.

“I know we got through the game tonight, but next week, the biggest game of the year, geez, I’d hate something like that to happen.”

Cleary said he wouldn’t seek any clarification next week but suggested they needed to have a referee who could understand what the Panthers were trying to do.

Later the discussion came back to the referees again over two other decisions that raised a few eyebrows when Toby Rudolph and Talakai were allowed to stay on the field despite illegal moves.

Rudolph attempted a trip on Isaah Yeo in the first half, while Talakai hit Jarome Luai in the back after he’d passed the ball.

Ivan Cleary has lashed the Bunker in an extraordinary press conference. Photo: Fox Sports

“I don’t want to turn this into all about the refs but there’s some different decisions,” Cleary said.

“There was a blatant trip, which used to be a send off back when I was young. And the Talakai one …

“I’m not that interested in not having 13 guys on the field together, I think that’s not a bad thing for the game.”

Dissecting the comments later, Michael Ennis said he agreed with what Cleary had said.

“I think this is something that really needs to be addressed at the back end of the season,” Ennis said.

“There are just too many calls at the moment and that have been happening throughout the season that the Bunker just doesn’t have an actual feel for the game at the moment and the type of shapes and the type of plays that sides are trying to run and what they’re trying to do to a defensive line.”

Ennis said he believes former players, coaches and thinkers need to come together to help the situation improve.

Mal Meninga said it was “great drama”, but that Cleary would likely cop a fine “to put the referees on notice”.

Originally published as ‘Shouldn’t say that’: Ivan Cleary names and shames Bunker over ‘terrible decision’