Report: Why NRL took grand final medal from Nathan Cleary

The NRL has reportedly begged Panthers star Nathan Cleary to remain quiet about an embarrassing situation happening behind the scenes.

Nathan Cleary shows off the Clive Churchill medal. NRL Photos.

The NRL has reportedly begged Panthers star Nathan Cleary to remain quiet over a farcical situation that has resulted in the Clive Churchill medal remaining out of his possession.

The league and the premiership-winning club have gone to war in recent weeks following the club’s ugly grand final celebrations that last week resulted in the NRL handing down breach notices.

Cleary, the club’s captain, Stephen Crichton and Tyrone May were all issued breach notices for bringing the game into disrepute.

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It was reported this week there was growing friction between the club and league officials — and the situation appears to have deteriorated further with information leaking out that the Panthers are angry about Cleary having his medal for being the best player on the field in the grand final taken off him by the league — and not yet having it returned.

Channel 9 reports the NRL took the medal away from Cleary moments after it was presented to him in order to cover up a blunder that saw the medal engraved with a mention of the grand final being played at Stadium Australia. The game was moved to Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane as a result of Covid-19 restrictions.

Nathan Cleary awarded the Clive Churchill Medal. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

The Clearys’ special moment. NRL IMAGES

The report suggests the Panthers are “fuming” about the stuff-up with Cleary yet to receive the medal back almost four weeks after the grand final on October 3.

A source quoted in the report claims the NRL asked Cleary not to speak publicly about the situation.

The new twist shows how bitter the relationship is.

Cleary was fined $7000 after being seen in photos posted on social media showing disrespect to the iconic Provan-Summons Trophy — the NRL’s premiership trophy — after it had reportedly been broken during a staff function.

The NRL also whacked May with a $7500 fine over a social media post that was interpreted by many to be a reference to his sex tape scandal. The Panthers have stood May down indefinitely — and he must now face the club’s board of directors to prove his contract should not be torn up.

The NRL was scathing in announcing its decision to take disciplinary action against the Panthers stars with a statement confirming Cleary received his breach notice for “acting in a manner that showed disrespect towards the individuals depicted in the iconic moment memorialised by the Trophy”.

The announcement came just days after rugby league was left in mourning following the death of Norm Provan at the age of 88.

Cleary was also investigated — and ultimately cleared — by the league of having any involvement in an alleged incident where three men from Western Sydney allegedly entered Queensland illegally to watch the rugby league decider at Suncorp Stadium.

Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher released a statement surrounding the penalties handed down to Cleary and Crichton last week.

Nathan Cleary and Ivan Cleary with the Provan-Summons Trophy. Picture by NRL IMAGES

“The Panthers players had no intention to show disrespect towards the trophy, Norm Provan or Arthur Summons, however they understand that’s how their actions may have been interpreted,” he said.

“Everyone at Panthers is well aware of the immense contributions Norm and Arthur made to our game and the high esteem in which they are held by everyone involved in Rugby League.

“On behalf of the club I sincerely apologise for any offence or distress this matter may have caused the Rugby League community and particularly the Provan and Summons families.”

It is just one of many social media scandals that have erupted this month following the team’s win over South Sydney.

May was also filmed using an offensive slur during teammate Viliame Kikau’s Instagram live Q+A.

May has had a tumultuous week following Penrith’s grand final win, having earlier attracted a backlash surrounding his deleted Instagram caption.

Panthers club legend and board member Greg Alexander tore strips off the players at his club.

Alexander, who is the deputy chairman of the Panthers Group board of directors, believes some of the players went too far in their celebrations.

“There have been a couple of social media things that haven’t impressed me,” Alexander said on SEN Radio.

“I think a couple of our players need to pull their heads in after what they’ve posted on social media.

“It gets a bit out of control. I don’t follow social media.

“I’ve had people tell me about what’s been posted, and some of it shouldn’t have been.

“It was a bit out of line.”