Former players and coaches have been left divided by the NRL’s decision to ban Penrith trainer Corey Bocking until the NRL finals for running in front of a kicker lining up a shot for goal.
The NRL issued a breach notice to the Panthers on Monday and fined the club $50,000, stating the severity of the sanction was due to the club also being penalised earlier in the season for a separate issue with one of its trainers.
Penrith trainer Shane Elford and North Queensland’s Mitch Dunn were hit with one-match bans for squirting water on the ball earlier this year.
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It continues a troubling history of Penrith trainers being embroiled in on-field controversy.
Two-time premiership winner Andrew Johns laughed the trainer’s actions off as gamesmanship, while ex-NSW coach Brad Fittler suggested the Titans should have been given a second shot in front of the posts.
Speaking on 100% Footy, Bulldogs official Phil Gould called the NRL’s reaction to the incident “the greatest beat up I’ve ever seen in rugby league.”
Penrith trainer Corey Bocking apologises. Fox League
“This is a perfect example that officialdom can be influenced by social media and what the fans say,” Gould said.
“Fans were blowing up long before anyone in rugby league had even worried about it. Give me a break. Do you think it’s fair those previous indiscretions come into it?
“The trainers are out there doing a job. They sometimes they get in the way. If he’s not putting water on the ball, he’s not doing his job.”
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The Panthers said on Monday: “The club is adamant that the actions of the trainer were an honest mistake and there was no intent to breach the rules or gain an advantage. The trainer immediately apologised upon realising the error.
“The circumstances involved a late change and in-the-moment confusion, but we understand that does not excuse the outcome.”
NRL chief Andrew Abdo confirmed trainers would be part of the game’s end of season review.
“At the end of every season, of course, we look at all of that, and look at ways of refining the on-field rules, and that would include trainers. Nothing is planned at the moment, but we’ll definitely look at that at the end of the year.
“I completely understand the frustration of all fans; we’re there to watch the football and see the players. So, we’ll have a close look at it.”
