Harry Grant cleared of ‘Hoppa' tackle on Nathan Cleary in State of Origin Game 2
The NRL has cleared Harry Grant of any wrongdoing after footage emerged of an unsavoury tackle in Queensland's victory in State of Origin Game 2.
Grant played the full 80 minutes at hooker for Queensland, laying a team high 55 tackles as he secured his first win as the Maroons' starting No. 9.
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.
But eagle-eyed viewers noticed a peculiar moment during the game, where Grant was accused of 'doing a Hoppa' on NSW halfback Nathan Cleary.
However the NRL has cleared Grant of any wrongdoing, with fresh camera angles provided to Code Sports showing Grant did not 'do a Hoppa' — the X-rated act made infamous by former Manly player John Hopoate.
Watch the Harry Grant tackle in the video above
The angles show Grant in fact gave Cleary a 'wedgie' by pull up his shorts in the tackle — an action the NRL has deemed not worthy of punishment.
Hopoate was suspended for 12 weeks in 2001 for inserting fingers in three players' backsides.
Grant played in Melbourne's golden point win over the Rabbitohs on Saturday night, where he put a coathanger tackle on South Sydney's Sean Keppie that went unpunished.
Keppie was clobbered around the throat by Grant and was left dry retching on the ground in obvious discomfort, but referee Peter Gough and the bunker let it slide.
It was a potentially decisive non-call as the Storm went on to win thanks to a Ryan Papenhuyzen drop goal in the 83rd minute.
Rubbing salt in the wounds for Rabbitohs fans, Keaon Koloamatangi was penalised for incidental contact on Melbourne's Cameron Munster.
Grant will be a part of Queensland team chasing a State of Origin series win in the decider in Sydney next month.
The Maroons defeated NSW 26-24 in Game 2, making the most of a lopsided penalty count and poor conversion kicking from the Blues.
In news that won't make NSW fans happy, Ashley Klein is set to be handed the officiating reins for the State of Origin decider despite his controversial performance in Perth which left NSW fans outraged.
The Blues' main gripe was why Klein chose to ignore numerous clear indiscretions by Maroons players while penalising the Blues for similar offences.
However, despite the Blues' protests, Code Sports reports Klein will again be in charge of the series decider.
That is because the NRL referees are rated under a KPI system by the league and by the numbers Klein is at the top of the list.
Categories measured include play-the-ball speed, decision-making, communication, game understanding, accuracy, communication with other officials, consistency, identifying infringements, positioning, game management, ruck communication, positioning, fitness and endurance.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
13 minutes ago
- West Australian
West Coast Eagles champion Jeremy McGovern reveals messages of support from Melbourne forward Jake Melksham
Jeremy McGovern has revealed Melbourne's Jake Melksham, who was involved in the collision that led to his career-ending concussion, reached out to the West Coast champion over his retirement. McGovern was awarded a free kick in the round eight clash at Optus Stadium after Melksham pushed him into a marking contest. It resulted in McGovern clashing heads with Demon Harrison Petty, with both players concussed in the incident and placed in protocols. It would ultimately be the Eagles premiership defender's final game, with McGovern retiring on medical grounds following a recommendation from the AFL's concussion panel. The 33-year-old revealed he 'heard from Melksham straight after the game' and had remained in contact since. McGovern officially announced his retirement on Friday. 'He (Melksham) was extremely thoughtful and caring about what was going on,' McGovern told SEN. 'I've been chatting to him over the last few weeks, to be honest. He's been super.' Melsksham was cleared of any wrongdoing by the Match Review Officer over the collision, who found 'it was not reasonably foreseeable that McGovern and Petty would make contact in the manner that occurred'. Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin also defended Melksham's actions post-match, stating he was contesting the ball and the actions of West Coast defender Reuben Ginbey had also contributed to the collision. McGovern held no ill-will toward Melksham over the incident, saying he 'made it pretty clear to him' that the decision was made to protect his long-term health following multiple head knocks across his 197-game career. 'This is a lot of things that have happened before that,' he said. 'He (Melksham) seemed like a ripper, did shoot me a message.' Among the other messages of support was Brisbane co-captain and star defender Harris Andrews, McGovern revealed. 'I've always admired the way he's played, so that was nice,' he said. 'And then obviously past players and mates and people you didn't even know you had in your phone... so many people (reached out). 'And that's why I love footy. That's what footy is all about. Just that comradery and mateship and friendships. 'It's just nice for everyone to shoot you a message and say that they've watched you and enjoyed your career.'
7NEWS
18 minutes ago
- 7NEWS
Zac Lomax makes sad admission on wayward kicking in NSW's State of Origin II defeat to Queensland
Zac Lomax concedes his goalkicking 'wasn't ideal' in the second State of Origin game but has vowed not to board any emotional rollercoaster triggered by NSW's tight loss. NSW scored five tries to Queensland's four in Wednesday night's game but went down 26-24 as Lomax landed only two of five attempts at goal in wet and wild conditions. Nathan Cleary's groin injury left goalkicking duties to Lomax at the 11th hour and the right winger could have pushed the Blues to an unassailable 2-0 series lead off his boot. Instead, the result moves the series to a game three decider in Sydney on July 9, and denies NSW the chance for a first series clean sweep since 2000. Lomax said it was important not to become weighed down after the defeat. 'Week in week out, it's a rollercoaster of emotions. I guess like the first game, everyone was singing NSW's praises and game two, we lost. That's the way it goes,' he said. 'That's why you can't buy into it too much.' Parramatta winger Lomax said it could be easy to fall into thinking it was he alone who cost NSW the game. In reality, the Blues conceded eight unanswered penalties and completed at only 58 per cent as they fell 26-6 down at half-time. While critics may have pinned the loss on his kicking, Lomax said: 'It's easy to look at it that way because it (the margin) is two points and a goal is two points. For me, I pride myself on being a good goalkicker as well. 'It was not ideal. But as I said, it gives you guys (the media) something to talk about and the lead-in into game three. 'The thing is, I probably couldn't have struck them any better. They just sat out there. 'We were on the receiving end of it (defeat) but that's the way that footy goes. The best thing is we get another game, game three, and we'll be up for it.' Before then, Lomax is predicting a harsh reception playing before St George Illawarra's home crowd for the first time since his highly publicised exit from the club. Lomax surprised the NRL world last year by requesting a release from his Dragons deal amid career-best form that eventually yielded Australian and NSW debuts. After weeks of build-up the Dragons relented to Lomax's request and paved the way for him to sign at Parramatta, where he has continued to excel on the wing. A Dragon for 114 games, Lomax expects some rough treatment when he runs out at Wollongong in the Eels' blue-and-gold strip on Saturday evening. 'I'm sure I won't get a real nice reception there but that's the way that it goes,' he said after Parramatta's 36-20 defeat of Gold Coast. 'You completely try and take the emotion out of it because emotion can affect your game positively and negatively. 'For us it's learning what we did well tonight (against Gold Coast), learning things we can improve on.'
News.com.au
43 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Formula 1 2025: Daniel Ricciardo reunited with F1 drivers Oscar Piastri and George Russell in padel picture
Daniel Ricciardo has been reunited with two Formula 1 drivers, including fellow Australian Oscar Piastri, for a spot of padel ball in a rare post-racing sighting. The eight-time grand prix bobbed up in an image posted on George Russell's Instagram account posing alongside the Mercedes star, McLaren's championship leader Piastri and Australian snowboard ace Scotty James. Russell posted the image with a simple caption of three Australian flags and one Union Jack. Ricciardo and James are holding padels in the photo, which appears to have been taken in Monte Carlo. Piastri also shared the image to his Instagram stories. Ricciardo cut a relaxed figure in the photo, sporting a thick post-racing beard. The image sent Ricciardo fans into a frenzy on social media with many thanking Russell for delivering 'Danny content'. The Australian fan favourite has largely kept a low profile since he made his exit from the Formula 1 grid after last year's Singapore Grand Prix. It was a difficult final campaign for Ricciardo for Red Bull's sister team RB with swirling speculation about his future before he was replaced by Liam Lawson. There has been no suggestion from Ricciardo he has any intention of pushing for an F1 return, or in any other racing category. Ricciardo last week poked fun at his Formula 1 retirement in a social media campaign in partnership with sports betting company Dabble to launch his own fan 'tailgate service' as part of a global competition. 'You know what, it's been a while, but I'm ready to say it – retirement ain't what it's cracked up to be,' Ricciardo said. 'I could smack golf balls around all day, but man, what a snooze fest. 'I need more than just a hobby, I need a passion project … then it came to me – tailgate.' While Ricciardo enjoys his new life away from the track, Piastri is in the thick of the fight for the world championship, holding a 22-point lead over teammate Lando Norris in the driver standings.
