Latest news with #CoreyBocking
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Footy boss lashes back at the NRL over an 'unfair' punishment which left one of his club's key members 'struggling'
Ivan Cleary has clapped back at the NRL after the league handed down a heavy punishment to the Penrith Panthers after one of the club's trainers was involved in a controversial incident in Round 22. Trainer Corey Bocking found himself under scrutiny after he appeared to run in front of Gold Coast Titans star Jayden Campbell as the fullback attempted to take a kick for goal. Campbell missed the set shot, with the Panthers rallying late in the match. Nathan Cleary kicked a two-point penalty in the 79th minute to send the game to a golden point tiebreaker Blaize Talagi crossed over the white wash in the 82nd minute to keep the Panthers' eight-match winning streak alive. But the talking point from the match was Bocking's decision to run back in front of Campbell while he was taking a kick. While the Panthers are adamant the incident was an accident, the league handed a proposed five-match ban to Bocking and slapped the club with a prospective $50,000 fine. The severity of the punishment takes into account the Panthers' rap sheet, which includes six other indiscretions involving trainers. Shane Elford was the most recent to cop a fine, with the trainer being slapped with a $10,000 penalty after squirting water on a ball during a clash against North Queensland. Cleary, though, claimed the penalty on Bocking was unfair. 'I think the punishment is pretty heavy,' the four-time premiership-winning coach explained. On Bocking, he added: 'I think his suspension is the biggest of anyone in the NRL this year. I think it's a bit harsh to come and say that his penalty is based on other things. 'He's struggling, has been right from the time it happened. 'We kind of try to temper that with banter, which he takes in good nature. 'But yeah, he's struggling. He cares about his job and understands that he made a mistake and it's become a big deal. 'The last thing he would want is any excess attention, that's his nature. You can see clearly that he was embarrassed and apologised. 'I just think it's harsh and I think it's a little unfair.' Cleary also took responsibility for the trainer's decision to run across the pitch. 'It was clearly a mistake,' Cleary added. 'His job is to stay with the team after the goal has been kicked. 'The only reason why he ran that line is because I changed a sub. If anyone is to blame, it's me - that is the truth.' The Panthers have stated that Bocking was running to the bench to alert the Penrith dugout of a substitution when the incident took place. Penrith will have five days to respond to the breach notice. Speaking on the heavy sanctions, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo explained that it was important for the NRL to take into account other actions of Panthers coaches in recent times in their sanctions. '(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.' Lifeline 13 11 14
ABC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Ivan Cleary says Panthers trainer Corey Bocking 'struggling' after receiving five-match suspension
Ivan Cleary has labelled the NRL's sanctions against Penrith's trainer as "harsh and a little unfair", claiming he is concerned for the man at the centre of the affair's welfare. Penrith were on Wednesday weighing up how to respond to the NRL's breach notice, after trainer Corey Bocking ran in front of Jayden Campbell as he lined up a shot at goal. The Panthers are adamant the incident was an accident, taking objection to claims trainer Bocking deliberately did so with Gold Coast 26-24 up on Saturday. The proposed five-match ban for Bocking is the longest handed down to anyone for an on-field matter this year, beyond what any player has received for foul play. The NRL's proposed $50,000 fine to Penrith is also the largest non-suspended fine in almost four years, topping Ezra Mam's $30,000 for drug driving without a licence last year. Bocking will be unable to enter Penrith's sheds, bench or field while serving the ban, with Cleary claiming he would effectively be "ostracised". NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo on Tuesday said there were "six separate incidents involving Penrith Panthers trainers since 2021", which contributed to the severity of the punishment. ABC Sport is live blogging every round of the AFL and NRL seasons in 2025. "It was important for us to take the action that we've taken," Abdo said. "It's a simple rule and that rule has been broken, whether it was by accident or not it's a breach." Abdo also rejected claims from Canterbury football boss Phil Gould that the NRL's punishment was evidence of them bowing to public pressure. Speaking a day after the NRL boss, Cleary begged to differ. "I just think it's harsh and I think it's a little unfair," he said. "For one person to receive a suspension based on things that have happened before, that never happens. "There is no justice system in the world that does that kind of thing. "The fines, you can make your own judgement on that, that's a club thing. "But for Corey, the five-match suspension for something that was clearly a mistake and that he apologised for, we've apologised for, I think it's a little excessive." Cleary said he had since become concerned for Bocking in the days since the event, with the sanctions and intense scrutiny. "He's struggling and has been right from the time it happened," the Penrith coach said. "We try to temper that with banter, which he takes in good nature, but he's struggling. "He cares about his job and understands he made a mistake and it's become a big deal. The man himself, the last thing he would want is any excess attention. "You can see it clearly that he was embarrassed and apologised. I think it's been a bit unfair on him." Penrith players also came to Bocking's defence on Wednesday, with Luke Garner claiming the former West Indies cricket strength-and-conditioning coach had been "hard done by". Cleary also shot down any suggestion the incident was deliberate, after Bocking had run from Penrith's huddle and in front of Campbell as he lined up the shot. Campbell was visibly frustrated and missed the conversion that would have put the Titans 28-24 up with five minutes to play after going through his routine again. Penrith then nailed a two-point field goal to send the match to golden point, before a Blaize Talagi try kept the four-time defending premiers' winning run alive. "It's not a fair criticism," Cleary said. "It was clearly a mistake. It was the first time in four years that Corey has run that line because his job is to stay with the team after the goal has been kicked. "The only reason he ran that line was because I changed a sub. So if anyone is to blame, it's me. And that's the truth." Meanwhile, Cleary did not know when lock Isaah Yeo would return from a subluxed shoulder, with Australia's Test captain to miss Friday's clash with Newcastle. AAP/ABC
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Footage exposes second Panthers trainer incident as ‘up yours to the NRL'
Footage has emerged of a second incident involving a Panthers trainer on the weekend, which has been described as an 'up yours to the NRL'. Penrith have been fined $50,000 and trainer Corey Bocking banned for five matches for interfering with a Gold Coast Titans conversion attempt last weekend. Bocking ran directly across the path of Titans kicker Jayden Campbell, who was attempting a conversion in Saturday's 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. Now new footage has surfaced of Panthers blue shirt trainer Shane Elford staying on the field and barking instructions for a lengthy period late in Penrith's 30-26 win. Elford can be seen in backplay for the duration of the fifth tackle as Penrith advanced the ball, even directing the Panthers to set up Cleary for a two-point drop goal from the 40-metre line. Watch the second Panthers trainer incident in the video above Paul Crawley said on NRL 360 on Tuesday night: 'He stayed on for every tackle and stayed on for tackle five as Nathan's lined up for the field goal. 'He's finally got to the sideline right at the end, and he hasn't stopped giving his messages the whole way. This is minutes after (the conversion incident). 'You know what this is? This is an up yours, a stuff you to the NRL rules. They couldn't care less what the rules are. It shows the arrogance of their trainers at the moment. 'The NRL's response is it's up to the ground manager to enforce this. But if the ground manager misses it, bloody enforce it afterwards.' NRL 360 co-host Braith Anasta said: 'You can see here Shane is trying to set them up for this field goal, watch him point back to the 40-metre line. 'He's trying to get them in position. Nathan Cleary doesn't need Shane Elford. It's unnecessary. They (Penrith) are overplaying it. 'But it's not so much the Panthers' fault, it's the NRL's. It's obviously happening in other games.' Rugby league journalist Andrew Webster said: 'Don't you reckon you could identify moments like that numerous times in a game?' Crawley said: 'It probably does, but it shouldn't.' Elford is the same trainer who came under fire for covertly spraying water on a ball before a Penrith kick off earlier this season. NRL blue shirt trainers are allowed to enter the field during any stoppage, as well as to 'run messages' three times per half. They must be off the field after the fourth tackle. Gorden Tallis said: 'Are we watching Under-8s, or are we watching NRL.' 'Why is he on the field? He's going to run on unless we change the rules and say you're not allowed on unless someone's injured.' 'Most clubs would do it, so let's just change the rules. 'They're just better at it. It's like when everyone was whingeing about the wrestling. Melbourne were just better at it.' Webster added: 'But the trainer going in front of the conversion, you don't see that every day. That's next level disruption.' Anasta asked: 'Do you think we'll see a crackdown now?' Crawley replied: 'It doesn't need to be a crackdown, just follow the rules.' Speaking on Tuesday, Titans hooker Sam Verrills was still fuming about the conversion incident and question Ivan Cleary's claim that trainer running in front of Campbell made an 'honest mistake'. 'I don't know what sort of trainer just runs in front of a person who's trying to kick the goal, I've never seen that,' Verrills 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.' The NRL confirmed the heavy sanction for Bocking's act came as a result of 'previous breaches by Penrith Panthers trainers'. Tallis said on NRL 360: 'If they win the grand final, the $50,000 is nothing.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Give me a break': Gould blasts Panthers trainer fallout as NRL great calls for change
Phil Gould has been left unimpressed with the 'beat-up' surrounding the furore to the Penrith Panthers trainer incident having singled out the penalty handed down from the NRL. Fans were left fuming on the weekend when Panthers trainer Corey Bocking ran in front of Gold Coast Titans kicker Jayden Campbell as he was lining-up a conversion to put his side four in front. Campbell had to stop his preparation as boos rang around the stadium when Panthers trainer Bocking darted across the field and in his line of sight. The halfback went on to miss the kick and was furious with the situation. The Panthers received a breach notice on Monday proposing a $50,000 fine for the club and the trainer facing a five-match ban. The club will have five days to respond to the breach notice. Many NRL fans have been left frustrated at the incident with the Panthers finding themselves in yet another trainer controversy this year. Although Gould feels the hype around the situation has been overblown. Gould, a former Panthers general manager, claimed on Channel Nine the fallout among the fans had prompted a stronger reaction from the NRL. And he isn't impressed with how it has all unfolded. "I think it's the greatest beat up I've ever seen in rugby the greatest beat up I've ever seen. This is the perfect example that officialdom can be influenced by social media and what the fans say," a baffled Gould said on 100% Footy. "It's the best example. Because the fans were blowing up long before anyone in rugby league had even worried about it. $50,000 and five me a break." Sharks great Paul Gallen agreed with Gould and claimed it was an accident from the trainer. Gallen felt the five-match suspension was harsh on Bocking who was just doing his job. Although not all fans of the game agree with Gould and Gallen. Many fans felt the NRL need to listen to the supporters to hear their frustration. Many are still outraged over the incident with the Titans struggling on 16 points and feeling duded in the contest. Maybe they should listen more to the single NRL supporter is sick of the intrusion of trainers on the field. — Gallo (@JohnGal65097255) August 5, 2025 Why is bad if the NRL listens to mass outrage from the fans? — Freethug (@freejeffery01) August 5, 2025 James Graham calls for sudden rule change Speaking on Triple M Radio, England great James Graham believes the NRL need to make it clear a new rule will be coming into the game in case this occurs again. Commentator Andrew Voss spoke on Monday and claimed referee Liam Kennedy was left in an odd position with the rules leaving him in the dark. "If a defending player waves their arms in front of a kicker and he misses, the referee is obliged to let the kicker have another shot. But no where does it cover a trainer doing that," Voss said on SEN Radio. "An external party to the players. There is no rule. Liam Kennedy would have had to make up a rule in the spirit of the game on the spot," Voss added. "We can bulletproof ourselves for first things first, what we do is what action?" And Graham has claimed if a trainer runs in front of a kicker in the future, the two points should automatically be awarded. "What I would like to see happen in the future, or when they are looking into the punishment for this, is if a trainer runs through the line of sight the two points are automatically awarded to the kicker," Graham said on Triple M. "They don't need to take the even a potential eight point try." This is now the second time this year the Panthers have faced controversy with a trainer. Penrith trainer Shane Elford appeared to spray the footy with a water bottle before the Panthers kicked off in Golden Point against the Cowboys earlier this year. Elford was handed a breach notice for the incident.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Six reasons for massive Penrith penalty
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. PPenrith Panthers trainer Corey Bocking has been banned for five matches for running in front of Jayden Campbell as he lined up a conversion. Credit: Supplied 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.' Bocking was remorseful at the time and the Panthers were adamant it was an honest mistake. Credit: Supplied 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.'
