Jett Cleary dragged into fresh NRL drama as Cooper Cronk raises 'diving' concerns

Yahoo

07-02-2025

NRL great Cooper Cronk has led the chorus of concern around 'diving' this year after the obstruction rule was tweaked for the upcoming season. NRL footy is nearing its return with the Sharks and Warriors finishing their Pre-Season Challenge clash on Friday night with a 12-12 draw with both teams getting through relatively unscathed other than concern around Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
And while fans were keen to see how their team is shaping up for the 2025 season, others were also keeping one eye on the rule tweaks that have recently been implemented. And Storm and Roosters great Cronk has already raised concerns about the obstruction interpretation.
In the second-half , Taj Ford thought he was over to score the leveller after a sweeping Sharks backline move. Although referee Liam Kennedy wasn't convinced their wasn't an obstruction as Jett Cleary attempted a tackle on a runner who barged him over.
He sent it up stairs as a no try and the Bunker was quick to agree. Cleary did appear to be taken out in the defensive live this time, but Cronk felt the new tweaks in the rule will not stop players 'diving'.
Cronk insisted it wasn't up to the Bunker to determine these cases, but rather for the NRL to fine players who they deem have 'milked' the situation. 'I know it's the first game, but I'm a little bit worried about this diving rule,' Cronk said. 'The Bunker is going to be under all sorts of pressure to determine if a player has dived or been impeded, and it's going to cause a lot of controversy.
'The way you get it out of our game, and stop the players from diving, is charge them a fine through the match review committee. Charge the first one, and they won't do it again.' Commentator Andrew Voss feels the NRL has let this slide for too long and it has encouraged players to find a way to trick the referees.
'They're trying to unscramble an egg," Voss said. "We've almost trained our players to, when they feel the slightest touch, lose their balance."
The NRL claimed it was going to allow referees in the Bunker to use common sense when judging an obstruction rule and it would aim to reward good attacking play, rather than bad defence. However, Cronk's concern is players will still 'milk' contact to make it more obvious to the Bunker.
While both teams showcased their new attacking weapons, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak was quick to leave the field in the pre-season challenge. The New Zealand winger didn't appear to be in too much trouble and early reports suggests it was just precaution.
While the game finished 12-all, Luke Metcalf showed he has the ability to step up and replace legend Shaun Johnson after the halfback retired last year. The Warriors were also without potential halves contenders Chanel Harris-Tavita and Tanah Boyd for the clash. But Metcalf was a standout in the draw as as coach Andrew Webster faces a big decision over who will wear the No.7 jersey in 2025.
There were plenty of eyes on Nathan Cleary's younger brother, Jett, who was making his debut for the Warriors in the Pre-Season Challenge. The young half started on the bench, but was given time in the second-half to stretch his legs.
And with Ivan Cleary in the stands watching him, Cleary impressed for the New Zealand outfit with around 20 minutes left. While the 19-year-old will probably be further down the pecking order in the halfback ranks in 2025, the youngster showed promise in his first hit-out of the year.
Good to see Jett Cleary in the NRL #NRLSharksWarriors
— Sharman Chandra (@sharmanchandra) February 7, 2025
Jett Cleary looks good
— Kriprz (@kriprz) February 7, 2025