Channel 9 reporter Danika Mason has come under criticism from fellow panelists following a heated post-match discussion about Melbourne Storm captain Harry Grant’s actions in Thursday night’s clash with the Penrith Panthers.
The controversial moment occurred with just three minutes remaining in the 2025 NRL Premiership rematch, when Nathan Cleary attempted a field goal that would have given Penrith a 19-18 lead.
Referee Ashley Kelin ruled the play out for an illegal block, penalising Moses Leota for stepping into Grant’s path.
The match went into overtime, where the Melbourne captain went on to score the game-winning try in golden point, sealing a crucial Storm victory.
During the Panthers’ post-match press conference, Cleary suggested that Grant had been “playing for” the game-changing penalty, sparking a heated debate.
Mason amplified the narrative on Channel 9’s Today Show, backing Cleary’s claim by asserting that Grant had “taken a dive” during the play.
“He was playing up to it, he’s done it before, that was a dive,” Mason said.
Her remarks drew immediate pushback from co-hosts, with Karl Stefanovic leaping to Grant’s defence, insisting, “That wasn’t a dive,” while Sarah Abo added, “Stop it, Danika, that is so disrespectful. Leave him alone, he won the game for the Storm … Harry, well done.”
Meanwhile, Grant was on the other line, addressing the incident with composure and professionalism, defending his actions simply by saying, “They are the rules.”