NRL storm erupts as Panthers trainer caught in ‘disgraceful' act
Bocking went to extreme measures to put off Titans goalkicker Jayden Campbell as he lined up for a crucial kick with just 5 minutes to go, with the Gold Coast leading 26-24.
His effort to extend the lead to four was halted by Bocking, who ran directly in front of his conversion attempt, which left commentators and fans stunned.
'Oh, the trainer has just run straight in front of Jayden Campbell,' Michael Ennis said.
While Andrew Voss added, 'That is disgraceful, that is absolutely disgraceful'.
'You can't make that mistake, unbelievable. Come on. Have you ever seen that? Have you ever seen that?' Voss said.
'I think he gets a second shot … that is high controversy, I don't know what action you take. That's just beyond the pale … boy, oh boy. What a moment.'
Crucially, in the context of the final scoreline, Campbell missed the conversion attempt, throwing the tee in disgust.
The trainer apologised, but was seen with a cheeky smirk as he ran away.
After Campbell missed the conversion, Ennis delivered a line that will stick with Titans fans.
'It brings a Nathan Cleary two-point field goal right into play,' he said.
And he was right, as just moments later Penrith star Nathan Cleary was able to land a huge two-point field goal to level the scoreline 26-26 and send the match to golden point.
From there, a Blaize Talagi try broke the hearts of the Titans in overtime.
'They are going to win it, they have done it … Titans players strewn everywhere. Their hearts crushed,' Voss said.
'Not a field goal, not a penalty goal, but an amazing 60 metre try to win the game.'
In the end, Bocking's actions proved crucial, and it left fans calling for Penrith to be sanctioned.
'If the NRL cares about the integrity of the game, they'll dock the Panthers two points for the actions of their trainer. It's just blatant cheating, poor sportsmanship and downright disgraceful,' one fan wrote on X.
'Blatant cheating. That's not on, and the NRL must draw a line in the sand now,' another added.
'The Titans have been absolutely duded … The Panthers' trainers are continuously bringing the game into disrepute,' a third wrote.
It's not the first time a Panthers trainer has come under fire this year, with the NRL issuing a breach notice to one staff member earlier this season for squirting water on a ball before a kick-off.
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