panthers Coach Ivan Cleary Laments HIA Decision as Season Ends in Preliminary Final Heartbreak
Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has described the NRL’s decision to rule Scott Sorensen out of the preliminary final against the Brisbane Broncos as a “huge call,” especially given the forward passed his Head Injury Assessment (HIA). The Panthers lost the match 17-16, ending their bid for a fifth consecutive premiership.
“It’s a tough one. It makes life a bit harder, for sure,” Cleary said following the narrow defeat.
Penrith had prepared to request an exemption to allow sorensen to play in the grand final, a possibility afforded within the 11-day mandatory sideline period following a category-one HIA assessment. However, the club will now accept the NRL’s ruling, despite Sorensen’s positive assessment result.
The loss concluded a remarkable turnaround for Penrith, who had fallen to last place on the ladder after round 12. A subsequent nine-game winning streak secured them seventh spot and a finals berth. The panthers then defied historical precedent,winning two finals matches after being last so late in the season.
Despite the extraordinary resurgence, Cleary remained hesitant to label the season a success. “I’m not sure about a success. It’s still a good year,” he stated. “Our start really put us under pressure, and ultimately that’s part of the season. That was not good enough. I have to take duty for that.”
He acknowledged the positive aspects of their campaign, adding, “After that, there was some really good stuff. Even the finals series, I thought we handled it pretty well. Lots of good stuff, but I’m not sure if I’d call it a success.”
