Nathan Cleary cops fine but ESCAPES  ban for controversial tackle on Billy Walters

Nathan Cleary cops $1000 fine but ESCAPES ban for controversial tackle on Billy Walters during win over Brisbane after baffled Panthers coach Ivan Cleary questioned decision to put gun halfback on report

Nathan Cleary has avoided a ban for an awkward tackle that Andrew Johns labelled ‘really dangerous’ and left the Penrith star immediately apologetic.

Cleary was on Saturday charged with grade-one dangerous contact on Billy Walters, an offence that carries a $1000 fine with an early guilty plea.

Cleary found himself in trouble when he rushed out of the line in Penrith’s 40-12 win over Brisbane, tangling his legs around Walters’ before bringing him to ground.

Penrith star Nathan Cleary has escaped a suspension for a tackle on Broncos’ Billy Walters

The incident drew immediate criticism, with Andrew Johns and Billy Slater both labelling it as dangerous during commentary on the Nine Network.

Cleary showed concern as soon as he’d brought Walters to ground, confirming he had apologised straight away.

‘I don’t really know what happened, I haven’t seen the video yet. I just said sorry to him (Walters) as soon as it happened,’ Cleary said.

‘It just got awkward. I rushed out of the line and he was slipping out of it and I tried to take him to the ground and fell awkwardly.’

Cleary was adamant the tackle had got away from him, and that it was not a hip-drop.

‘I would never try and injure someone or anything like that,’ Cleary said.

‘It definitely wasn’t my intention to do so. It was just how we ended up. It all happened fast.’

The Panthers gun was at his brilliant best against the Broncos, inspiring his side's 40-12 win

The Panthers gun was at his brilliant best against the Broncos, inspiring his side’s 40-12 win

If Cleary had copped a grade-two charge he would have faced at least a one-game ban, ruling him out of next week’s clash with Canberra.

Instead, he is free to play.

‘I think it’s dangerous,’ Johns said in commentary.

‘Like, I think it’s really dangerous.

‘It’s not a hip-drop and they have so many different terminologies for different wrestling moves but that is dangerous.’

The tackle was the only blemish on Cleary’s best game since his off-season shoulder surgery, as he kicked brilliantly and set up three tries.

Ivan Cleary insisted he did not know why his son was put on report against the Broncos

Ivan Cleary insisted he did not know why his son was put on report against the Broncos 

The performance came just days after he and father Ivan signed new five-year deals at the club, with the coach claiming his No.7’s match fitness and involvements were back.

The coach also compared the tackle to an old-school Cumberland throw, which involved using the legs to get the opponent to ground in a tackle.

‘It looked a bit awkward. But sometimes that happens,’ Ivan said.

‘You don’t have to do something illegal for something to look awkward.’

Brisbane lock Kobe Hetherington and Canterbury utility Brandon Wakeham were also charged out of Friday’s games, with both also able to take fines.

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