'Killed our momentum': Ivan Cleary reacts after costly Bunker call against Panthers
Ivan Cleary admits the decision from the Bunker to deny a try to Moses Leota 'killed the momentum' for the Panthers in their round four loss to South Sydney.
After a dismal first-half performance that saw them down 28-0, Penrith started to claw their way back into the contest after the break with a couple of tries.
The reigning premiers could have got within striking distance if not for a costly Bunker decision, with Ashley Klein sending it up no try after Leota rampaged his way over.
READ MORE: Gus alarmed by 'frantic' Panthers in third-straight loss
READ MORE: Bombers win 'shootout' against Port with late blitz
READ MORE: 'Won't be coming': Top club exit race to sign DCE
The video officials stuck with Klein's call, and while the Panthers coach was reluctant to openly criticise the decision, he didn't hide his thoughts either.
Moses Leota is denied a try. Nine
"I honestly thought it was a try," Cleary said.
"It would have been very handy but maybe that was just the night.
"What did you guys think? I don't know. At the end of the day, we cost ourselves too many points in the first half and things need to go your way.
"You've got to get those calls … it definitely killed our momentum a bit."
Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Isaah Yeo echoed the sentiments of his coach and conceded the timing of the decision "didn't help" as Penrith failed to mount a comeback and went down 28-18.
As for the performance in the opening half, Cleary was asked if he could recall one of his Penrith teams dishing up that many errors in 40 minutes.
The side only had 28 per cent of possession before the break and it proved to be too big a hurdle to overcome, even with the fight shown later in the night.
Ivan Cleary and Isaah Yeo speak to media after the round four loss. Nine
"I can't remember one ever," Cleary said.
"I was trying to work out what I was going to say. It was just one of those games.
"We made errors, couldn't defend them, compounded them and found new ways to make them. We just haven't got any rhythm in the way we are playing.
"I have to take responsibility for how we're playing to this point. The spirit is still there, which is good, but it's a bit hard and we haven't got any rhythm in our game.
"We're gonna need to find it pretty soon. The first half was just comical at some points."
