The NRL has slapped the Panthers with a $50,000 fine and banned a trainer for five weeks over an incident in the win over the Titans labelled by experts “dumb and unprofessional”.
Trainer Corey Bocking ran in front of Titans star Jayden Campbell as he attempted to take a shot at goal late in Saturday’s game.
Campbell missed the attempt and threw his kicking tee in disgust.
The miss would have given the Titans a four-point lead.
Instead, Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary went on to slot a two-point field goal, which sent the game into golden point before the Panthers scored a try to win the game.
The Panthers apologised after the game and insisted it wasn’t intentional.
But the NRL wasn’t in a forgiving mood, citing previous indiscretions from the club’s trainers.
“It is alleged the trainer unnecessarily interfered with and distracted Gold Coast Titans player Jayden Campbell as he was attempting a conversion kick, in breach of the NRL operations manual and NRL code of conduct,” an NRL statement said.
“The proposed penalty takes into account previous breaches by Penrith Panthers trainers.
“The NRL rules permitting club trainers onto the field will be monitored and strictly enforced by the NRL.”
Image: Fox League
