Ivan Cleary is facing an investigation from the NRL after imploring the league to make changes in the Bunker before Penrith’s grand final against Melbourne.
In a sensational postscript to the Panthers’ 26-6 preliminary final win over Cronulla on Saturday, Cleary said he was having “a lot of anxiety” over the NRL’s handling of obstructions, saying he is worried that “terrible” obstruction calls could cost his side the premiership.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, NRL officials have requested a transcript of Cleary’s press conference, with particular concern over the legendary coach’s singling out of Bunker official Chris Butler.
No coach has been fined for criticising officials in 2024, but the league are expected to look unfavourable on the comments, given the extra scrutiny on referees and the Bunker in grand final week.
Frustrated at a no-try call that went against the Panthers during the second half of the win, Cleary said he was concerned over a year-long pattern of questionable calls.
Up 10-2 with 30 minutes to play, Penrith thought they had taken a sizeable lead when Sunia Turuva crossed on the left wing.
But the try was called back when the bunker ruled that Luke Garner had taken out Sharks centre Siosifa Talakai in the lead up.
Making matters worse for the Panthers, Cronulla went downfield and scored shortly after to briefly put themselves back in the match.
Replays appeared to show that Talakai had initiated contact, and the Penrith second-rower made a deliberate attempt to run past the Shark’s inside shoulder.
“There was an obstruction try that was a terrible decision, and that gives me a lot of anxiety around next week if that bunker official (is there again). I think it was Chris Butler,” Cleary said afterwards.
“That was wrong, and it’s been happening all year.
“That was the one time we sorted our stuff out and ran the play perfectly and ran to his inside shoulder. Sifa actually initiated contact.
“That worries me about next week if that same bunker official (is there) or if he or someone else is going off the same script, then I’m concerned.”
Butler is unlikely to be in the bunker next week, with the NRL opting for one of their top two on-field referees in the role during State of Origin II and III this year.
In those matches, Grant Atkins sat in the bunker, with Ashley Klein the on-field official.
“It’s a big call for (NRL head of football) Graham (Annesley),” Cleary said.
“I don’t know if Graham makes the selection on who’s in the bunker, but whoever’s in there needs to understand what we’re trying to do.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
“There are a lot of referees not reffing next week and they’re some of the best in the game, so surely someone can work that out.”
Cleary is the latest coach to criticise the bunker this year, after Wayne Bennett launched two separate attacks on video officials in recent months.
“Wayne Bennett – the best of all time – came out after their game against Newcastle and he was 100 per cent right,” Cleary said.
“He said that someone’s going to suffer in the finals.
“There’s no understanding of what we’re actually trying to do and the play we’re trying to run, especially when it’s run properly.
“Sifa got taken off straight after because I think Fitzy knew how fatigued he was. That pretty much says it all.
“I know we got through the game tonight, but next week is the biggest game of the year and I’d hate for something like that to happen.”