‘Harry played for it': Nathan Cleary and Harry Grant clash over controversial ruling in Storm's epic golden point win over Penrith
A depleted Storm side outlasted the defending premiers thanks to a crafty Grant try in golden point, but the Panthers feel they should have won the game in regulation after Cleary potted a field goal with three minutes remaining.
The shot would have given them a 19-18 lead but referee Ashley Klein immediately penalised prop forward Moses Leota for running interference and stepping into Grant's path to block him from getting to Cleary who later had two attempts charged down.
The Panthers challenged the call but it was immediately dismissed because attacking players aren't allowed to loiter in the ruck to block defenders.
Moses Leota blocks the charge down attempt, and Melbourne escapes a Cleary field goal!
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'Harry was too smart at both ends. That's pretty much it,' a diplomatic Ivan Cleary said after the match.
But his son was fired up, with Ivan even encouraging him to 'be honest' when he paused momentarily to answer the question.
'If that was in the field of play and you run a block shape, it wouldn't have been an obstruction because they ruled that out if you're typically defending at that three man and you play for an obstruction, they don't want that in the game,' he said.
'But for some reason, it's different for a field goal.
'I thought the blocking rule was brought in so that people wouldn't stand next to the play the ball, but Moses wasn't in that position.
'I don't believe that everyone can get behind me on that field goal, and then essentially Harry played for it because he knew he was going to get the penalty.
'I don't believe that Moses moved so it was pretty frustrating.'
The Panthers have been clinical in so many field goal scenarios, with Cleary recently nailing a long-range shot to send their game against the Titans to golden point.
'It was a bit different because it happened straight after a line break so I went into that position – it wasn't a standard field goal,' he said.
'I think that's what makes it harder because it was after a line break so Moses was there to take the next run.
'I'm not sure what he was meant to do. I know it's a common cliché but is he meant to then run through? But if he runs through, then he's a chance to take people out.
'Do we expect him to get all the way behind the ball, but then we've got no one to run it. I feel like it's a split second thing where I'm calling like I want the ball to take the field goal and Moses is there to take the run, and he didn't move.'
Grant was told of Cleary's frustrations but said all teams know the rules around blockers and that he could hear Penrith players telling Leota to 'get out of the road'.
'I think anyone in the game has seen that's been policed numerous times, and that's the rule within the game,' he said.
'Even the Penrith boys were aware of it in the game and when it happened so I'm happy if that's the rule then we stick to it, but if we want to change it then come out during the week and change it.
The defence parts like the Red Sea and the Storm win it in Golden Point.
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'I think anyone would agree that's been policed numerous times throughout the year. Hats off to the officials for policing it the same way because it would have been easy to change it.
'A lot of attention will go to that, but it doesn't need to.
'The attention should go to what a quality contest it was and how well they played. We were underdogs and had a fair few players out but we turned up so I really think that (people should focus on the result).'
The controversial penalty overshadowed Grant's heroics at the death when he fooled the markers who raced out to pressure a potential shot at goal, with the Storm hooker able to dart over for the winner as he did at the same venue in golden point against the Eels two years ago.
It capped a vital win for the Storm who remain in the hunt for the minor premiership, with Xavier Coates starring on the wing as they snuck home without Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen.
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