Panthers’ season from hell gets worse as enforcer Liam Henry banned for nasty crusher tackle

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary’s season from hell continues to go from bad to worse as his enforcer was handed a ban for a nasty tackle on Fletcher Sharpe.

Panthers enforcer Liam Henry has been slapped with a two-game ban after being sin-binned and placed on report for a crusher tackle on Knights fullback Fletcher Sharpe.

In the 22nd minute with the Knights leading 18-0 in Bathurst, Henry appeared to lift Sharpe up in a tackle and push down on the back of his neck, which drew a penalty.

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“Both feet left the ground,” Steve Roach said on Fox Leaue’s coverage.

After intervention from the Bunker, referee Belinda Sharpe called Henry out for further punishment.

“You have got a grip you lift him up and then you put pressure down,” referee Sharpe said.

“It is on report and it’s in the bin.”

Commentsator Andrew Voss had no issue with the decision due to the NRL’s tough stance on crusher tackles.

Things have gone from bad to worse for Penrith with Liam Henry banned for two games for a crusher on Fletcher Sharpe. Image: Getty/Kayo

“That’s the tackle that we are trying to stamp out,” Voss said.

“If there is any sort of re-grip or second motion if you will.

“Liam Henry finds himself in the bin and Sharpe goes off the field for Newcastle.”

Off the ensuing set, Dylan Lucas scored a try to make it a hat-trick for the star back-rower and give the Knights a commanding 24-0 lead.

Henry will be rubbed out for two matches should he take the early guilty plea.

Originally published as Panthers’ season from hell gets worse as enforcer Liam Henry banned for nasty crusher tackle