NRL fans are questioning why Nathan Cleary wasn’t given another attempt at a missed conversion on Thursday night after Bulldogs star Matt Burton appeared to commit a blatant act to try and distract him. The Bulldogs shocked the high-flying Panthers to win 32-16, handing Penrith their first loss of the NRL season.

And while it didn’t affect the result, there was an interesting moment in the second half in which many thought the Bulldogs got away with an illegal act. Thomas Jenkins had just scored to level things at 16-16, but Cleary hit the post with his conversion attempt and failed to put the Panthers in front.

However many thought Cleary should have been allowed to take the kick again. Burton was spotted standing near the posts during Cleary’s attempt, holding another football in preparation for the next kick-off.

Burton was seen throwing the ball in the air three times – once while Cleary was lining up the kick and twice while he was walking in to strike it. The move was a blatant breach of the rules that state the conceding team isn’t allowed to do anything to distract the goal-kicker during a conversion attempt.

Nathan Cleary should have been awarded kick again

Players aren’t allowed to wave their arms or start moving before the kick is taken, and we’ve seen a number of times over the years that kickers have been given another attempt if they miss after being distracted. The NRL rules state: “It is illegal to attempt to distract the attention of a kicker player who is kicking at goal.”

One person wrote on social media on Thursday night: “I have no doubt Matt Burton knew exactly what he was doing here trying to get in Cleary’s head. It worked.”

Another commented: “Technically illegal. I’ve always thought the conceding team should wait on the half way line personally.” While a third wrote: “Why’s Burton throwing the ball up when Cleary is kicking for goal. Surely not allowed.”

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