Mitchell praises Hawks' gritty defence
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News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Harry played for it': Nathan Cleary and Harry Grant clash over controversial ruling in Storm's epic golden point win over Penrith
Superstar halfback Nathan Cleary has accused Storm rival Harry Grant of playing for a penalty in the final few minutes of Thursday's epic encounter in Sydney, with Melbourne's main man firing back that Penrith players knew they were in the wrong. 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! ðŸ'° Watch #NRLPanthersStorm on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: â�°âœ�ï¸� BLOG â�°ðŸ'¢ MATCH CENTRE — Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 14, 2025 '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. ðŸ'° Watch #NRLPanthersStorm on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: â�°âœ�ï¸� BLOG â�°ðŸ'¢ MATCH CENTRE — Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 14, 2025 '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.
Courier-Mail
4 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
AFL: Carlton Blues blow Collingwood away in season opening AFLW statement
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Carlton kicked off the AFLW's 10th season on a perfect note with a comfortable 24-point win over arch rivals Collingwood. The Pies started the night strongly with the first two goals, but the Blues would kick six of the next seven to cruise to victory at Ikon Park, 6.9 (45) to 3.3 (21). Watch every match of the 2025 NAB AFL Women's Season LIVE ad-break free during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Mimi Hill starred for the Blues in the midfield with a game-high 32 disposals and Erone Fitzpatrick bagged two goals as Carlton opened its account with a win in a campaign captain Kerryn Peterson will miss due to the birth of her first child. 'They'll be really pleased with the electricity of their footy,' Herald Sun reporter Lauren Wood said on Fox Footy. 'Particularly without their captain. Carlton's Poppy Scholz celebrates after kicking her first goal. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images) Mimi Hill (right) starred for the Blues. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images) 'Naturally when you're without your skipper, you would have that sense of unknown. But led by Mimi Hill, they were pretty seamless without her.' Former AFLW Carlton coach Daniel Harford said Hill was 'allowed to do whatever the hell she liked' and 'took full advantage of that'. 'Really set the game alight, she was enormous,' he said on Fox Footy. Harford also praised Carlton's 'slick' ball movement, but noted Collingwood 'had no answers' in a disappointing start to the season for last year's wooden spooners, who have dropped 13 of their last 14 games. Over 25 debutants to be named in round 1 Video Player is loading. Play Video This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. X Learn More Loaded : 5.20% 0:00 00:00 / 00:00 Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. 03:09 SUBSCRIBER ONLY Over 25 debutants to be named in round 1 AFLW: Over 25 young guns are set to be handed their AFLW debuts in the opening round of season ten. 'There's a few questions about the Magpies on the back of that and what they're trying to do and look like,' he added. 'They didn't show too much tonight, sadly for Magpies fans.' Collingwood fans had one moment in particular to cheer about, with No. 1 pick Ash Centra kicking her first goal with her first disposal in the second term. But further souring the loss for the Pies was Irish rookie Kellyann Hogan's night ending prematurely due to a shoulder issue. Originally published as Carlton make a statement in 'enormous' Pies beat down as rivals kick-off new season
The Age
4 hours ago
- The Age
Essendon champion joins Dees' coach search; Winmar continues bid to co-lead racism class action
In today's AFL Briefing, your daily wrap of footy news: Melbourne will launch their coach search immediately, in the hope of making an appointment by mid-to-late September. Former St Kilda star Nicky Winmar is continuing his push to be a co-lead plaintiff in a racism class action against the AFL. Two-time All-Australian and one of the best small forwards of his generation, Hawthorn's Luke Breust, has announced this season will be his last. Former Essendon captain Jobe Watson will be on the panel charged with finding premiership coach Simon Goodwin's replacement at Melbourne. Joining the Bombers great on the Demons' appointment panel are president Brad Green, director and incoming president Steve Smith, chief executive-elect Paul Guerra, football boss Alan Richardson, Melbourne Storm's football director Frank Ponissi, and human resources executive Meahan Callaghan. Ponissi, who has worked at the Storm for 18 years alongside revered premiership coach Craig Bellamy, also helped Richmond select ex-Melbourne player Adem Yze as Damien Hardwick's successor. The Demons will launch their coach search immediately, in the hope of making an appointment by mid-to-late September. Collingwood champion and former coach Nathan Buckley is viewed as the early frontrunner to be the Demons' next coach after John Longmire, Adam Simpson, Ken Hinkley and James Hird ruled themselves out. Asked during his weekly Triple M breakfast appearance on Thursday about the prospect of playing under Buckley, Melbourne skipper Max Gawn downplayed the possibility, given the club, at that stage, had not 'even got a [selection] committee yet'. 'I just don't know how any of these guys coach,' Gawn said. 'From the outside, 'Bucks' took his team to a granny and lost by a Dom Sheed kick. John Longmire took his team to five [grand finals], so they're good coaches … I think, but I can't really answer.'
