Panthers coach Ivan Cleary issued an apology to the Titans after his side’s trainer was embroiled in a controversial moment that disadvantaged the Gold Coast in a tight affair.
After the Gold Coast scored a try to take a 26-24 lead after trailing 24-0 at half time, Jayden Campbell had an opportunity to give the Titans a four-point lead.
While lining up his conversion, Penrith’s trainer walked directly in his path, apologising as the crowd and Campbell made their feelings known.
The Titans halfback missed the conversion and those two points in hindsight could have proved crucial, with Nathan Cleary kicking a two-point field goal to take the clash to golden point.
From there, the superstar playmaker orchestrated a 60-metre try which left the Gold Coast side stunned, and the Panthers coach had a message for his opponents post match.
“I didn’t see it, but (we were) just chatting about it in there. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Cleary said.
“We had a sub that we were going to do and I changed it at the last minute, that’s what he was doing, he was trying to communicate with the bench.
“Because it was a late change, there’s a lot of stuff going on to make sure we didn’t make that change we were going to. That was why there was a bit of confusion.
“In the end it was just an honest mistake, he apologised straight away. Anyone around him would have seen that, the Titans would know that.
“I am happy to say we apologise for it, because it’s not something that anyone set out to do. It was just an honest mistake.”
Meanwhile, Des Hasler bit his tounge when quizzed on the moment.
The Titans coach was issued his final warning for criticising refereeing decisions and Bunker calls in June after his side’s loss to the Storm.
While the match officials had no bearing on the controversial trainer moment, Hasler kept his opinions to himself post-match.
“Tough calls along the way, yeah sure. I’m sure you’re going to ask me about those, or comment on those, talk about those. I need to be careful how much I say,” Hasler said.
“Obviously at the end of the day we didn’t get points… did it cost us the game? I don’t know. He will get breached, that’s the only thing that’s going to come out of that.”
Asked if the trainer’s actions were “gamesmanship”, Hasler said: “I don’t know, I can’t really comment. He apologised didn’t he.”
