Ivan Cleary has swiftly shut down talk that Penrith’s dynasty has ended after falling one game short of the NRL grand final in their bid to win five straight premierships.
And while the frustrated coach says it was a “huge call” to rule out Scott Sorensen after the forward passed a mid-game head injury assessment, the Panthers will opt against complaining to the NRL following the 16-14 loss to Brisbane.
Sorensen clashed heads with teammate Blaize Talagi in the opening two minutes of Sunday’s grand final qualifier and immediately left the field at Suncorp Stadium.
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The NRL’s independent doctor ruled Sorensen had exhibited category-one symptoms, ruling him out of the match and the grand final, were Penrith to make it.
But Sorensen passed a subsequent head injury assessment conducted by the Panthers’ medical staff and was well enough to watch the rest of the game from the sidelines.
The four-time premiership winner could not return to the field, under the NRL’s concussion rules.
The blow left the Panthers playing in hot conditions with one less man for almost the entirety of the contest.
“It’s a huge call, especially when he passes his HIA,” Cleary said.
“It’s a tough one. It makes life a bit harder, for sure.”
Brisbane's Reece Walsh checks on Penrith's Scott Sorensen after the head knock. Credit: AAP
Penrith had been ready to seek an exemption to play Sorensen in the grand final, which would have fallen within the 11-day period that a category-one assessment requires a player to miss.
But AAP has been told the club will not query the NRL’s decision to rule Sorensen out of the game, despite the forward passing his assessment.
Penrith’s tight two-point preliminary final loss came after the team had wrestled itself back into premiership contention following a dismal start to the year.
The four-time reigning premiers slipped to last on the ladder after Round 12, before a nine-game winning streak helped them lock up seventh spot.
In premiership history, no team had ever won a finals game after sitting last so late in a season, but the Panthers won two en route to Sunday’s epic against Brisbane.
Cleary was still reticent to consider the season a success, as dreams of a fifth consecutive premiership slipped away.
“I’m not sure about a success. It’s still a good year,” he said.
“Our start really put us under pressure, and ultimately that’s part of the season. That was not good enough. I have to take responsibility for that.
“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.”
The Broncos booked their spot in the NRL grand final, denying the Panthers their shot at a fifth straight premiership. Credit: AAP
For the first time since their premiership dynasty began, the Panthers will not lose any household names ahead of next season.
Back-up halfback Brad Schneider is the only member of Sunday’s team who will leave the club at season’s end.
“What’s over?” coach Cleary said when asked about the Panthers’ dynasty ending.
“I’d like to think there’s more in us. Obviously we’re not going to win it this year, but we definitely showed a fair bit to fight back from a poor start (this year).
“There’s probably some lessons in there, but ultimately we were just not quite good enough this year.
“But I feel like we got some real strides with some young guys this year.
“The core of our team is still going to be there next year. Hopefully they use this feeling, which we haven’t had for a while, to spur us on into next year.”
Nathan Cleary agreed.
“I’m excited for the future. I wouldn’t say anything’s over yet,” he said.
[SRC] https://7news.com.au/sport/rugby-league/frustrated-panthers-coach-ivan-cleary-makes-call-on-huge-scott-sorensen-concussion-drama-c-20174075
