Panthers coach Ivan Cleary slams the NRL bunker for the grand final after a baffling call

Ivan Cleary has begged the NRL to make changes to the bunker before Penrith’s grand final against Melbourne. He says he fears “terrible” obstructionist calls could cost his party the premiership.

In a sensational afterword to the Panthers’ 26-6 preliminary final win over Cronulla on Saturday, Cleary said he had “a lot of concerns” about the NRL’s handling of obstacles.

Frustrated by a no-try call against the Panthers during the second half of the win, Cleary said he was concerned about a year-long pattern of questionable calls.

With 30 minutes to play, leading 10-2, Penrith thought they had taken a significant lead when Sunia Turuva crossed from the left wing.

But the try was called back when the bunker ruled that Luke Garner had taken out Sharks center Siosifa Talakai in the build-up.

To make matters worse for the Panthers, Cronulla went downfield and scored shortly afterwards to briefly get themselves back into the game.

Replays appeared to show Talakai had made contact, and Penrith’s second rower made a deliberate attempt to run past the Shark’s inside shoulder.

‘There was an obstruction attempt, that was a terrible decision, and that worries me a lot next week when that bunker officer (is there again). I think it was Chris Butler,” Cleary said afterward.

Ivan Cleary unleashed on the NRL bunker after the Panthers defeated the Sharks

Cleary said he had “a lot of concerns” about the NRL’s handling of obstacles

“That was wrong, and it’s been happening all year.

“That was the one time we got our stuff picked out, executed the play perfectly and ran to his inside shoulder. Sifa actually made contact.

“That worries me if next week that same bunker officer (is there) or if he or someone else follows the same script, then I worry.”

Butler is unlikely to be in the bunker next week with the NRL opting to have one of their top two on-field referees in the role during State of Origin II and III this year.

During those games, Grant Atkins was in the bunker, with Ash Klein as field official.

“It’s a big call for (NRL head of football) Graham (Annesley),” Cleary said.

“I don’t know if Graham decides who’s in the bunker, but whoever’s in there needs to understand what we’re trying to do.

‘Next week there will be a lot of referees not refereeing and they are some of the best in the game, so I’m sure someone can figure that out.’

Cleary has singled out a bunker official by name and could be fined by the NRL

Cleary is the latest coach to criticize the bunker this year, after Wayne Bennett launched two separate attacks on video officials in recent months.

“Wayne Bennett – the greatest of all time – came out after their game against Newcastle and he was 100 per cent right,” Cleary said.

‘He said someone will suffer in the final.

“There’s no understanding of what we’re actually trying to do and the piece we’re trying to play, especially when it’s done well.

‘Sifa was sent off straight away because I think Fitzy knew how tired he was. That pretty much says it all.

“I know we got through the game tonight, but next week is the most important game of the year and I would hate for something like that to happen.”