NRL great Andrew Johns has issued Nathan Cleary with a “please explain” over his tackle on Billy Walters in Penrith’s round six win over Brisbane.
In the 65th minute of Penrith’s 28-point win, Cleary wrapped his leg around Walters in a tackle, forcing the Broncos five-eighth into an awkward position as he fell to the turf.
Cleary was quick to apologise to Walters, who appeared in pain after the tackle.
The match review committee hit Cleary with a grade one dangerous contact charge but opted not to suspend the Panthers halfback, instead fining him a minimum of $1000. If he unsuccessfully pleads his case at the judiciary, Cleary will cop a $1500 fine.
On the latest episode of , Johns made his feelings about the tackle known, directly addressing Cleary, who was on the show as a guest.
“I thought looking at it and after the game, I thought it was really dangerous,” Johns told Cleary. “Talk us through it.”
Cleary was quick to agree that the tackle wasn’t pretty.
“That was a really bad one,” Cleary admitted. “It was an awkward tackle, I rushed out and tried to take him to the ground. It was poor technique.
“As soon as my leg came off the ground, anything can happen from there. I definitely didn’t do it with any intent, but it was a real ugly one.”
Johns then asked Cleary what he said to Walters once the tackle had finished.
“I was just apologisixjmtzywng straight away,” Cleary said.
“I felt it get awkward and his knee get trapped. It definitely wasn’t something I was trying to do. I was just trying to see if he was all right.”
Walters played the rest of the game and is expected to line up for the Broncos against the Bulldogs on Friday.
Johns had earlier voiced his displeasure with the tackle while commentating on Friday night’s game.
“I think it’s dangerous, I think it’s really dangerous,” Johns said at the time.
“It’s not a hip-drop — and they have so many different terminologies for different wrestling moves — but that is dangerous.”
The tackle was the only blemish in Cleary’s performance on Friday night; the Panthers halfback ran riot in the second stanza and guided his side to its 20th consecutive win at BlueBet Stadium.
Cleary came up with three try assists, including an inch-perfect kick to Taylan May, which the winger grabbed one-handed before jogging over for a four-pointer.
Cleary’s Panthers are the only side undefeated after six weeks of the 2022 season and face the Canberra Raiders at home next Sunday.
