Liam Martin has been hit with a grade one contrary conduct charge for his role in the melee that proved pivotal in Penrith’s preliminary final loss to the Brisbane Broncos.
Martin will receive a $1,000 fine if he takes the early guilty plea, which he is expected to accept.
The incident occurred with 25 minutes remaining and the Panthers leading 14-6 when Nathan Cleary was taken out in the air by Ezra Mam after the Panthers number 7 had kicked the football.
Cleary took exception the tackle, which then saw Mam strike out at Cleary, sparking a heated melee that saw Martin and Gehamat Shibasaki get involved.
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Despite Mam seemingly igniting the clash, referee Grant Atkins awarded a penalty to the Broncos for Martin’s heavy-handed involvement as third man in.
The penalty proved crucial, allowing Brisbane to turn field position into points and they went on to set up two late tries that ultimately sealed the victory.
Martin avoided being sin-binned, but for some fans that was controversial given what we have seen with similar incidents this season..
League legend Cooper Cronk called the decision baffling during the broadcast, as Mam's tackle has also often been penalised this season, while commentator Andrew Voss said he was conflicted but cautioned against hypocrisy in officiating.
The 2025 preliminary final defeat ends Penrith’s recent dominance, with the reigning premiers’ attempt at a an astounding 5th consecutive grand final brought to an abrupt halt.
The Broncos now advance to the 2025 NRL Grand Final where they will face the Storm, setting up a blockbuster showdown this weekend at Suncorp Stadium.