Leichhardt Oval: Nathan Cleary risks being banned from Penrith’s season opener against premiers Brisbane after being placed on report for a high shot on Wests Tigers’ exciting rookie Heamasi Makasini.
Cleary was sin-binned and booed by the Tigers’ faithful at Leichhardt Oval on Friday night after he collected Makasini in the head with his right shoulder.
He apologised to Makasini before referee Ashley Klein told him he was on report and off the field for ten minutes.
Cleary will learn his fate when the match review committee hands down their findings on Saturday.
A grade-one careless high tackle charge would result in a fine, but a grade-two charge carries a one-match ban. The Panthers are due to open their latest campaign away to the Broncos. The club’s pursuit of a fifth straight title ended against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in the preliminary final.
Cleary looked in good touch against the Tigers, with his cutout pass for winger Brian To’o setting up the opening try of the night.
Nathan Cleary could be in trouble for this high shot on Heamasi Makasini.Credit: Fox
Jack Cogger, who did not feature against the Tigers, is expected to start in the halves should Cleary be suspended.
Makasini bounced back to his feet and was able to play on. The 18-year-old sealed the left-wing spot after an excellent performance, which included a couple of barnstorming runs down the touchline.
He was stopped by fullback Dylan Edwards on one occasion, but then ran straight over the representative No. 1 a second time to score. The four-pointer will not be forgotten any time soon by those inside the inner-western Sydney venue. The try came six days after he bagged a hat-trick in a trial against the Roosters.
Heamasi Makasini scored an excellent try for the Wests Tigers.Credit: NRL Photos
The Tigers triumphed 26-12. Their left edge of Jarome Luai, Samuela Fainu, Taylan May and Makasini will rack up their share of points this year if they can all stay fit.
Coach Benji Marshall was unsure whether to play most of his big guns, considering they do not play for another three weeks because of a round-one bye. But the pleasing hit out against a genuine premiership contender in Penrith will give them plenty of confidence.
Tigers halfback Adam Doueihi was busy early, and laid on the first try for Jahream Bula, while Panthers backrower – and former Tiger – Isaiah Papali’i got through a mountain of work early.
Coach Ivan Cleary and his assistants were forced to watch the game in the outdoor press area after a rogue airconditioning unit left the coaches’ box unbearably cold.
In the earlier trial, a 38-34 win by the Dolphins over the Warriors, two players were binned, including Jacob Host for a hip-drop tackle on Selwyn Cobbo.
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