Latest news with #Bocking
7NEWS
05-08-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Titans star Sam Verrills weighs in on Penrith trainer's ‘obvious' act as NRL boss explains hefty punishment
Andrew Abdo says the sixth incident involving a Penrith trainer in five seasons forced the NRL into strong action after the Panthers received a whopping $50,000 fine and five-game ban for Corey Bocking. But the NRL's chief executive won't commit to rule changes to deter trainers from running in front of goal-kickers as Bocking controversially did against Gold Coast. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Penrith have insisted Bocking made an 'honest mistake' running through Jayden Campbell's line of sight as he prepared to kick a conversion that would've given the Titans a late four-point lead on Saturday. Campbell subsequently missed the crucial sideline shot, with the four-time reigning premiers Panthers going on to win the game in extra time. Titans hooker Sam Verrills called the situation 'frustrating' and said the trainer's actions 'looked pretty obvious'. 'I don't know what sort of trainer runs in front of a kicker who's trying to kick a goal,' he said. 'We were up by two, five minutes to go, I don't know why a trainer will just run in front of him. 'He's come out and said he didn't mean it, but it looked pretty obvious. 'I know for a fact our trainers wouldn't run in front of the goalkicker 10 metres out. 'At the end of the day, the game's done, we can't do too much about it. (But) it was frustrating.' On Monday, the NRL banned Bocking until the finals series and slapped Penrith with their single biggest up-front fine since COVID-19 biosecurity breaches. '(Penrith) 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 at the launch of the NRL's Indigenous Round. 'So whilst 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.' Among the six indiscretions, the Panthers received a $25,000 fine for incorrectly requesting a stoppage to the evenly poised 2021 semi-final against Parramatta. Earlier this season, the club was fined $10,000 after trainer Shane Elford squirted water on the ball during a clash with North Queensland. A confrontation between Bocking and a referee, and a clash between trainer Pete Green and South Sydney players, are also thought to stand out amongst the indiscretions. The Panthers maintained against the Titans, Bocking had been running to the bench to communicate a change in substitutions when he accidentally distracted Campbell. Abdo said the reasons for the latest blunder were irrelevant. '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,' he said. 'This is a simple rule and that rule has been broken, whether it was by accident or not, it's a breach.' The hefty fine and ban matter little for the Titans, who are in a fight to avoid the wooden spoon and received no recompense for Bocking's gaffe. Verrills suggested moving the conversion attempt closer to the goalposts would be a way to compensate a team affected by future instances. 'If you could kick it in front of the posts, that would be nice,' he said. The NRL will review its rule book at the end of the season but there are currently no plans to make any changes in response to the incident. 'At this particular point in time, there's no particular view or comment on changing anything,' said Abdo. 'Luckily this is a very unusual circumstance, one which we don't often see and one which we hope not to see again.'
Sydney Morning Herald
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Panthers fined $50,000, trainer hit with five-match ban; Trbjoevic back to fullback
Penrith trainer Shane Elford and North Queensland counterpart Mitch Dunn were hit with one-match bans for squirting water on the ball earlier this year. Asked if trainer conduct would be among the NRL's typical end-of-season review, NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said on the weekend: '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.' Bocking, who is also Penrith's strength coach, raised his hand in apology to Campbell on Saturday when he appeared to realise that he had run in front of the sideline conversion attempt. Campbell complained to referee Liam Kennedy as he realigned the shot at goal. Panthers coach Ivan Cleary apologised after full-time and said Bocking's intervention was 'an honest mistake', while Titans counterpart Des Hasler said a breach notice is 'the only thing that's going to come out of it.' Speaking on The Sunday Footy Show, NRL great and ex-NSW coach Brad Fittler suggested Campbell should have been afforded a second shot at goal from directly in front of the uprights, as is the case in an eight-point penalty try. While Immortal Andrew Johns did not take issue with what he saw as deliberate 'gamesmanship' from Bocking, Fittler said 'because of the misdemeanour, you get the goal from in front'. Meanwhile, Isaah Yeo is unlikely to play against Newcastle on Friday after injuring his shoulder against the Titans. The Penrith workhorse underwent scans on the weekend, and while he was cleared of serious damage, an extended break will do him no harm, especially with Melbourne awaiting them on Thursday week. Return to No.1 jersey for Trbojevic Manly are set to end the Tom Trbojevic centre experiment this weekend and shift him back to the fullback role as they look to save their season. With the club's finals hopes to go on the line against the Raiders in the nation's capital, Manly coach Anthony Seibold is set to move Trbojevic back to his customary fullback role. Seibold made the bold decision to hand young gun Lehi Hopoate the fullback jersey just over a month ago after a string of disappointing team performances. It resulted in immediate success with victories over the Wests Tigers, South Sydney and Melbourne, however, the club has come crashing back earth with back-to-back losses to Canterbury and the Roosters over the past fortnight. The evergreen machine: Raiders set to offer Papalii new deal Canberra are poised to re-sign Josh Papalii for another season to ensure the club legend finishes his career without playing against them. Papalii, who recently broke the Raiders' record for most NRL games, had been expected to head to England at the end of the season – most likely to St Helens – to play out his days in the Super League. But the 33-year-old's superb form, as evidenced by his recent recall to the Queensland Origin team for the series decider, attracted the interest of rival NRL clubs. When asked in the lead-up to Origin III about playing on in the NRL, Papalii said: 'Never say never … I feel like I've still got a lot to offer as a player and as a mentor.' The Raiders have since informed back-up prop Trey Mooney, who is contracted for two more seasons, that he is free to explore other options, in a sign of their intentions for Papalii. Raiders chief executive Don Furner said contract negotiations had not formally kicked off, but added: 'We're considering re-signing Josh for another season. 'We were thinking he would go to England to finish his career, but he's keen to continue in the NRL, and it wouldn't have seemed right to see him playing against us.' Papalii appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday to face charges of intimidating police and refusing to leave a licensed premises after a night out in Gungahlin in September. Police alleged the 117-kilogram forward was 'verbally abusive and threatening towards officers' and was one of three men 'behaving aggressively towards each other and staff, and throwing glasses within the licensed premises'. Loading The case was adjourned on Monday until later this month after Papalii's defence counsel raised concerns about the conduct of police officers. In particular, defence barrister Steven Boland alleged police had used an encrypted phone application to discuss the investigation, and messages had been deleted.
Courier-Mail
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
NRL storm erupts as Panthers trainer caught in ‘disgraceful' act
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Panthers trainer Corey Bocking has been slammed for a 'disgraceful' act in Penrith's golden point win over the Titans on Saturday afternoon. 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. 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. '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. Panthers trainer Corey Bocking has been slammed for his 'disgraceful' act in Penrith's win. Image: Kayo 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. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY 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.' The Panthers won a Saturday afternoon epic but not without controversy. (Photo by) 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. – with Fox Sports Originally published as NRL storm erupts as Panthers trainer caught in 'disgraceful' act
