Grant urges NRL to allow kick pressure amid stunning sin bin call

Melbourne Storm star Harry Grant has made a desperate plea to the NRL after he was sent to the sin bin in his side’s 25-18 loss to the Cronulla Sharks on Saturday night.

Grant is just one of many players in recent weeks to suffer a similar fate with the NRL cracking down on excessive pressure on kickers after a string of playmakers went down with serious injuries as a result.

The decision proved to be crucial for the Storm, as Sharks’ prop Oregon Kaufusi crashed over the line moments later to level the score.

Speaking after the game, Grant pleaded his innocence but urged the NRL to allow the players to maintain pressure on kickers.

“I was a bit shocked,” Grant said.

“I had no intention of going in with any intent to hurt Atkinson.

“I just went to put kick pressure on, which is a big part of the game and you can’t lose it.

“We don’t want to lose it. If you look I was going to put kick pressure on and looked away to take myself away from him to not make any contact.

“But he’s obviously jumped and kick momentum took him forward and brushed his leg.

“I was a bit shocked but can’t change it now. But we can’t lose kick pressure in the game. It is a big part of the game and we don’t want to lose it.”

Harry Grant has been charged with a Grade One Dangerous Contact Charge which could see him face a fine upwards of $2500.