Isaah Yeo breathed a sigh of relief on Sunday morning after he avoided a charge for an alleged crusher tackle on Saturday night.
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The Penrith Panthers' shock loss to South Sydney in the NRL qualifying semi-final was compounded by co-captain Yeo and fellow forwards Liam Martin and Viliame Kikau being put on report.
Yeo and Martin both avoided a charge and while Kikau was charged with dangerous contact on Rabbitoh Jayd'n Sua, his punishment was only monetary and he will be free to play in next weekend's do-or-die semi-final.
While that is welcome news for coach Ivan Cleary, the result on Saturday night was a painful one.
The Panthers, who finished second on the ladder after only losing three times during 2021, struggled to get any momentum against the Rabbitohs and suffered a 16-10 defeat.
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Yeo was put on report for an alleged crusher on Tevita Tatola inside the final 10 minutes resulted in Souths' Adam Reynolds knocking over a penalty goal to take the lead out to six, where it stayed until full-time.
"A lot of times in the game they were able to get a leg up for little things - high tackles and supposed crusher tackles, that kind of stuff - that happened so often tonight," coach Cleary said post-game.
"They came up with a one-on-one strip and [we had] a false crusher. It was one of those nights.
"There were definitely things we could've controlled that we didn't."
The issues with discipline were part of an uncharacteristic Penrith performance.
There was also a number of scrappy moments - recalled Forbes junior Charlie Staines made a poor error in the second half that put his side under pressure - while the Panthers also couldn't come up with a decisive attack late on.
The result means their season is now on the line next weekend.
"That's the challenge ahead of us," Cleary said.
"We had to win three games in the finals to win [the premiership] and nothing has changed. I don't think we'll lose too many friends from tonight.
"It just came down to opportunities that we didn't ice that you need to in those games, that's just facts."
The result was also a welcome reverse for Souths after a 56-12 drubbing by the Panthers at Dubbo's Apex Oval back on May 23.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
