Harry Grant warned by NRL over pressure on kickers prior to decisive penalty conceded against Manly

It was the controversial incident that lost Melbourne the game against Manly, but it’s since been revealed that Harry Grant had already been warned by the NRL for a similar offence just days beforehand. WATCH THE VIDEO.

Melbourne skipper Harry Grant had been warned by the NRL over putting pressure on kickers just days before the Storm’s loss to Manly.

Grant conceded what was a decisive penalty in Melbourne’s 18-16 loss to the Sea Eagles after making contact with the leg of Luke Brooks, as the Manly playmaker attempted a field goal in the 78th minute.

The incident was initially missed by referee Wyatt Raymond during play but on review the video bunker ruled Grant had made illegal contact with Brooks.

The moment generated plenty of debate among experts and fans alike, with many believing Grant’s minimal contact made for a “soft penalty.”

But this masthead can reveal Grant had received a concerning act notice from the NRL less than seven days before the Brooks incident.

Grant was warned over making contact with kickers in the wake of Melbourne’s 32-14 win over Newcastle in Round 19.

Harry Grant received a concerning act notice from the NRL

Grant made contact with the leg of Knights halfback Jack Cogger as he attempted to charge down a last tackle kick in the 20th minute of the clash.

The incident was not penalised at the time but Grant was subsequently put on notice by the NRL in the lead-up to the Manly clash.

The NRL will issue a concerning act to players for incidents that have been reviewed but that do not necessarily warrant a judiciary charge or suspension.

The Brooks incident was the third time in just over 12 months, where Grant has been pinged for putting illegal pressure on a kicker.

Harry Grant is penalised and the Sea Eagles have a penalty goal to go ahead 😮

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The Queensland rake was again at the centre of controversy last season when he was sin-binned for making contact with the leg of Cronulla playmaker Daniel Atkinson in Round 10.

At the time, Grant was hit with a grade one dangerous contact charge but beat it at the judiciary after successfully arguing he had not been careless in his actions.

Grant’s most recent incident has also generated plenty of discussion.

Immortal Andrew Johns even called on the NRL to review the rule, suggesting there is no longer a reward for a good defensive set due to the inability to put pressure on the kicker.

But the bunker made the right call to penalise Grant for his contact on Brooks.

The rule is in place for a reason, to protect the kicker in a vulnerable position.

The minimal contact or the fact that Brooks was not knocked off his feet should not be the threshold to rule against a defender.

The ruling against Grant did give Manly a penalty goal from right in front, which was the difference in the end with the Sea Eagles securing the win.

The call was decisive but the right one. Allowing for discretion over the level of force against the kicker’s leg only opens a can of worms that should remain closed.

The NRL must stay the course to protect the legs of kickers because we don’t want to see a repeat of tackles like Freddy Lussick’s charge down attempt on Lachlan Ilias last year, which left the then Souths NSW Cup half with a broken leg.

Originally published as Harry Grant warned by NRL over pressure on kickers prior to decisive penalty conceded against Manly