NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has revealed Penrith trainers have been involved in six separate on-field indiscretions since 2021 as Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould described the club’s $50,000 fine and Corey Bocking’s five-match ban as “the greatest beat-up I have ever seen in rugby league”.
Bocking was hit with a five-game ban for running in front of Gold Coast’s Jayden Campbell as he lined up a conversion attempt that would have given his side a four-point lead with five minutes remaining.
An irate Campbell had to compose himself and eventually missed the shot before Nathan Cleary nailed a two-point field goal to send the game into extra time. Penrith eventually won thanks to a Blaize Talagi golden-point try.
Titans coach Des Hasler was convinced that the Panthers would be breached, while Ivan Cleary was adamant that it was an honest mistake, with the club doubling down on that sentiment in a statement released after the breach notice was issued.
The NRL referenced Penrith’s history in the breach notice, with Shane Elford suspended earlier this year for spraying water on a ball during a match against the Cowboys, and it turns out the club’s actions have not gone unnoticed.
“I think it’s important to note that the Panthers will have due process and they have an opportunity to respond to the breach notice, but it’s important to note there have been six separate incidents involving Penrith Panthers trainers since 2021,” Abdo said.
“So while we treat every incident on its own merits, taking into account the fact there have been several indiscretions by trainers from that club, it was important for us to take the action that we’ve taken.
“The breach of the rules is not a consideration of whether someone is doing something intentionally or not and we’re not questioning the integrity of the club or the player (trainer) whatsoever.
“This is a simple rule and that rule has been broken, whether it was by accident or not, so it’s a breach. They obviously have an opportunity to respond.”
Abdo wasn’t aware of Gould’s comments on 100% Footy but rejected claims the harsh penalties were in response to public pressure.
“This is not a reaction to social media or to the public, this is an application of the rules which we have done consistently. This is the sixth breach of the Penrith Panthers involving trainers since 2021,” he said at the launch of Indigenous Round.
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion but I can say categorically that this is not a reaction to the public or to social media. This is an application of the rules.”
The infringement has led to calls for referees to be given the power to award another shot at goal from in front of the posts, but Abdo says any potential rule change hasn’t been considered.
“Luckily, this is a very unusual circumstance, one which we don’t often see and one which we hope not to see again,” he said.
“At the end of the season, we’ll have a look at all the on-field rules as we do. We’ll hear feedback from our key stakeholders, the clubs, the players et cetera and make any considerations around changes that we think are necessary.
“At this particular point in time, there’s no particular view or comment on changing anything.”
The Penrith incident wasn’t the only controversial moment to arise from the weekend, with several Wests Tigers players being investigated for using a Middle Eastern hand gesture called the Khod.
The players taunted Bulldogs supporters after Samuela Fainu scored the match-sealing try on Sunday, with Abdo – who has Lebanese heritage – unwilling to comment on the matter.
“It’s not something that I was aware of, and it’s why we’re taking a very close look at it to try to understand it and the context of it,” he said, with Tigers fullback Jahream Bula also refusing to comment.
“We’re monitoring it but I can’t really comment on it at the moment because we’re taking a close look at it.
“Clearly, we don’t want to be talking about these types of issues where there’s potential offence to people, so we’re having a very close look at what occurred and we’ll take the appropriate action in the near term.”
There was another controversial moment in that game, with Bulldogs skipper Stephen Crichton not charged for a high shot that forced Taylan May from the field.
The Tigers had earlier lost Alex Seyfarth to the sin bin and will lose him for their next three matches, but Crichton avoided similar punishment, which led to calls for the NRL to use its new powers to come over the top of the match review committee.
“That’s a policy decision that can be invoked by the commission,” Abdo said.
“But on the Crichton matter, clearly there are indicators available for the match review committee. One of those indicators is mitigation, and in this particular case, they ruled on mitigation.
“Crichton was low and had a wrapping action with his arms, and actually both players were low.
“He wasn’t sin-binned and he wasn’t charged, so we’re very comfortable with that decision made by both the on-field referee and the match review committee.”
