‘Terrible’: Panthers captain Nathan Cleary sent off after dangerous tackle

Penrith Panthers captain Nathan Cleary has been sent off for a dangerous lifting tackle on Parramatta five-eighth Dylan Brown.

Nathan Cleary of the Panthers. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Penrith Panthers captain Nathan Cleary could be facing several weeks on the sidelines after being sent off for a dangerous lifting tackle on Parramatta Eels five-eighth Dylan Brown at CommBank Stadium on Friday evening.

In the 18th minute of the blockbuster Round 20 contest, Cleary was given his marching orders after lifting Brown’s legs in a tackle and flipping the New Zealander, who landed on his neck.

“Dylan Brown was flipped over like an omelette,” Fox League commentator Dan Ginnane said.

“That is a horrible tackle. Thank goodness Brown’s OK.”

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The Sydney crowd went berserk as the 24-year-old left the field, leaving the defending premiers with 12 men for the rest of the match.

“Hands in between the legs and you’ve driven him into the ground. You’re off,” referee Todd Smith told Cleary.

And to rub salt into the wounds, The Weeknd’s hit song “Blinding Lights” blared from the venue’s speaker as Cleary made his way towards the sidelines.

“That is a real bad one,” rugby league legend Andrew Johns said on the Channel 9.

“He gets him in a terrible position.”

The New South Wales halfback becomes the first Panthers player to be sent off in an NRL game since Travis Burns in 2012.

Moments later, hooker Reed Mahoney scored Parramatta’s third try of the evening to give the Eels an 18-6 lead.

Shocker from Cleary!! 🟥 pic.twitter.com/Cff5hq9Bd5

— Andrew Gourdie (@AndrewGourdie) July 29, 2022

Ref had absolutely no choice then !! Cleary isn't a dirty player but that was a BAD tackle #NRLEelsPanthers

— Bernie Coen (@berniecoen) July 29, 2022

Big call, but absolutely the right one. Cleary had to be sent off. #NRLEelsPanthers

— Veronica Eggleton (@veggleton) July 29, 2022

I'm glad rugby league is stamping out these sorts of tackles. Nathan Cleary is the opposite of a dirty player, but that kind of tackle needs to be eradicated from the game #NRLEelsPanthers

— Michael Doyle (@MickDoyle94) July 29, 2022

Panthers legend Greg Alexander told Fox League: “I think the refs hands were tied. It was a spear tackle, the bloke ended up on his head.

“The referee said hands between the legs, which they were, they’re the indicators the refs look for so I think the referee had no other option but to send Nathan.”

The Panthers were already without premiership-winning five-eighth Jarome Luai, who could miss up to six weeks because of a knee injury.

While Cleary has a clean record at the judiciary, he is facing a hefty ban as the game looks to stamp out dangerous lifting tackles. Based off precedence, he could be staring down the barrel of a four-week suspension.

Nathan Cleary of the Panthers. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“I can understand it,” Penrith coach Ivan Cleary told reporters in the post-match press conference.

“I think he’s going to be missing for a bit, I don’t know how long.

“He is (shattered). He feels like he’s let everyone down.

“I’ve got utmost faith in our squad to be able to deal with injuries or guys missing.
“We’ll have a few challenges over the next few weeks but I’m confident the boys can take it on.”

The Eels held a comfortable 26-point lead at halftime, finishing as 34-10 victors.
“I was really proud of the boys,” Cleary said.

“I thought they were courageous.”

— with Martin Gabor, NCA NewsWire