NRL Highlights: Titans v Panthers
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News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Six separate incidents': Andrew Abdo explains why Penrith penalties were so harsh
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.'
The Australian
16 hours ago
- The Australian
NRL bans Penrith trainer, fines club $50k for conversion interference
Penrith officials remain adamant trainer Corey Bocking made an 'honest mistake' as he was hit with a massive five-match ban and the club was fined an unprecedented $50,000 after he interfered with a Gold Coast Titans conversion attempt last weekend. The NRL confirmed the stunning penalty on Monday which came as a result of 'previous breaches by Penrith Panthers trainers'. Bocking who ran directly across the path of Titans kicker Jayden Campbell, who was attempting a conversion in last weekend' match. Campbell had to furiously compose himself and ultimately missed the conversion before Nathan Cleary sent the game into extra time with a long-range field goal. The Panthers won the match thanks to a Blaize Talagi golden point try which cost the Titans two crucial points in their bid to avoid the wooden spoon. Penrith Panthers trainer Corey Bocking runs into the path of the Gold Coast's Jayden Campbell as he lines up to take a conversion Penrith has five days to respond to the notice but was quick to defend Bocking after the NRL confirmed the breach. '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,' a statement said. 'The circumstances involved a late change and in-the-moment confusion, but we understand that does not excuse the outcome. 'The club will not make any further comment on the matter at this time.' It's not the first time a Panthers trainer has been involved in on-field drama with Shane Elford and Cowboys counterpart Mitchell Dunn suspended earlier this year for squirting water on the ball, while physio Peter Green was banned in 2021 for incorrectly asking play to be stopped in a finals match. The NRL made clear that it believed Bocking was in breach of the NRL code of conduct. '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. Bocking says sorry to Titans bench. Picture: NRL Photos '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. The club will have five days to respond to the breach notice.' Questioned after the game, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said there was a 'lot of stuff going on'. 'He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. We had a sub and I changed it at the last minute,' said Cleary. 'He was trying to communicate with the bench for a late change. There's a lot of stuff going on. 'That's why there was a bit of confusion. It was an honest mistake. He apologised straight away. I'm happy to say we've apologised. It's not something anyone set out to do.'
News.com.au
19 hours ago
- News.com.au
Panthers players spotted at Sydney Pro-Palestine protest
Penrith Panthers players Mitch Kenny and Izack Tago attended the Pro-Palestine march in Sydney on Sunday, a day after playing in an NRL victory. Tens of thousands of protesters marched across Sydney's Harbour Bridge in a massive demonstration that far exceeded the expected turn-out. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. About 90,000 people, including famous faces, braved the rain and descended on the iconic landmark with placards and flags in hand to call for an end to the war in Gaza after the Supreme Court rejected a last-minute application to block the protest on Saturday. Panthers hooker Kenny and centre Tago both played in Penrith's 30-26 win over the Gold Coast Titans at CBUS Super Stadium on the Gold Coast on Saturday. The premiership-winning duo spent their Sunday at the rally in Sydney, organised by the Palestine Action Group, which was largely well-behaved despite police intervention over fears of a crowd rush. Tago and Kenny were spotted in the thick of things in the march and were happy to pose for photos with fans and give them a wave. Kenny wore a shirt that read 'Free Palestine', while Tago held a Palestine flag and wore a Palestine scarf around his head. As the march made its way across the city, Tago was spotted climbing part of the Sydney Harbour Bridge's steel structure. The Panthers declined to comment when contacted by The march was endorsed by hundreds of organisations and individuals, most notably: Amnesty International Australia, NSW Greens, Jewish Council of Australia, Arab Council Australia, Julian Assange, Bob Carr, Craig Foster and NSW Nurses and Midwives Association. In Sydney, thousands of protesters started crossing the bridge about 2pm on Sunday, chanting 'free, free Palestine' and waving placards. Some could also be heard chanting 'death, death to the IDF', a reference to the Israeli Defence Force. Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore lent her support to the protesters saying: 'Discomfort from traffic can't be compared to what's happening in Gaza'. Jewish Council of Australia Executive Officer Sarah Schwartz backed the protest saying the marchers were 'crying out for moral leadership'. 'It is a time for all of us, including those in positions of power, to do everything they can to halt an active genocide and stand with the people of Gaza.' 'Almost catastrophic': Fears of crowd crush At about 3pm, NSW Police issued an urgent request for protesters to stop marching on safety fears, citing a possible 'crush' at the northern end of the bridge. 'Participants have been asked to stop proceeding across the bridge to avoid a crowd crush at the northern end of the harbour bridge,' the police said in what they called a 'protest safety intervention'. 'Once the procession has come to a halt, protesters will be asked to turn around and walk back toward Wynyard to avoid a risk of injury due to the huge number of people taking part. 'Police believe the safest route back is to walk back across the bridge given the huge numbers to avoid overwhelming the public transport system and a potential crowd crush scenario.' The crowd started dispersing from the bridge about 3.30pm and traffic started crossing the bridge about 4.30pm. Penrith cop mega punishment for trainer act Penrith's win over the Titans kept their dream of winning a fifth consecutive NRL premiership alive, with the victory putting them just one point behind the fourth placed Warriors on the ladder. The Panthers were fined $50,000 and trainer Corey Bocking banned for five matches after he interfered with a Titans conversion attempt on the weekend. The NRL confirmed the stunning penalty on Monday which came as a result of 'previous breaches by Penrith Panthers trainers'. Bocking who ran directly across the path of Titans kicker Jayden Campbell, who was attempting a conversion in last weekend' match. Campbell had to furiously compose himself and ultimately missed the conversion before Nathan Cleary sent the game into extra time with a long-range field goal. The Panthers won the match thanks to a Blaize Talagi golden point try which cost the Titans two crucial points in their bid to avoid the wooden spoon.
