The Penrith Panthers have found themselves in hot water just weeks out from the NRL finals, after the league slapped the club with a $50,000 fine and a five-week suspension for their trainer, Corey Bocking.
The punishment follows a controversial moment during their match against the Gold Coast Titans, where Bocking appeared to interfere with a crucial conversion attempt by Titans player Jayden Campbell. Video footage shows the trainer running across the field as Campbell prepared to kick, sparking outrage among fans and commentators alike.
Although the Panthers claimed it was a mistake — saying Bocking was trying to get a substitution message to the bench — the NRL wasn’t convinced. The league called the interference “unacceptable” and acted swiftly with the penalties.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Penrith, who are still fighting for momentum heading into finals. With their trainer now banned for the rest of the regular season and pressure mounting on the coaching staff, fans are demanding full accountability.
> “This isn’t the standard we expect from a club chasing a premiership,” one fan wrote on Facebook.
“They need to own it — not just call it an accident,” another added.
Panthers head coach Ivan Cleary has acknowledged the incident, saying they accept the ruling but maintain it was unintentional. “We’ve spoken to Corey, and we support him. But we also understand the league’s decision,” Cleary said.
The incident has divided NRL fans, with some calling the punishment too harsh, while others argue it doesn’t go far enough — especially with the finals around the corner.
With just a few games left in the regular season, all eyes are on Penrith to see how they respond — both on and off the field.
