Panthers enforcer Liam Martin found himself "very lucky" not to be sin binned during Sunday's preliminary final against the Broncos after sparking a melee.

In the second half of the tense clash at Suncorp Stadium, tempers started to flare when Ezra Mam tackled star halfback Nathan Cleary as he kicked the ball.

The tackle was deemed legal by on-field referee Grant Atkins, who allowed play to continue as the hosts worked their way out of trouble. Advertisement

But as the kick return was unfolding, Mam and Cleary were getting stuck into each other on the floor before Martin raced in to protect his halfback.

The back-rower ran 20 metres and there was a hint of a swinging arm on Mam.

Liam Martin and Ezra Mam involved in a melee Nine

"Liam Martin has run 30 metres, this may be a sin

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