‘That’s beyond the pale’: Panthers under scrutiny over trainer’s involvement

The sportsmanship of a Penrith Panthers trainer has been questioned for a second time this season following a bizarre incident during Saturday’s golden-point win over the Gold Coast Titans.

The Titans had just clawed their way back from 24-0 down to lead 26-24 with five minutes remaining when Panthers trainer Corey Bocking ran in front of Jayden Campbell as he lined up a sideline conversion.

Campbell missed the kick – which would have put his side four points clear – Nathan Cleary then slotted a freakish two-point field-goal a few minutes later to force golden point, before Blaize Talagi sealed the premiers’ eighth straight win in extra time.

The crowd inside Cbus Super Stadium booed Bocking, who was wearing a yellow shirt, as Campbell also made his feelings known.

The NRL have taken a dim view of the trainer’s actions, with both the club and Bocking himself facing a fine. There is no suggestion the Panthers will be stripped of the two competition points.

Another Panthers trainer, Shane Elford, was banned for one game this year after he was caught on camera squirting a football with a water bottle during a match in Townsville. The Panthers were fined $10,000 for that incident.

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary was apologetic after the game and said Bocking’s involvement was an “honest mistake”.

“He was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Cleary said. “We had a sub that we were going to do, but I changed it at the last minute. That’s what he was doing. He was trying to communicate with the bench because it was a late change, and there’s a lot of stuff going on there to make sure we didn’t make the change we were going to.

“That’s why there was a bit of confusion. In the end, it was an honest mistake. He apologised straight away – you would have seen that, the Titans would know that. I’m happy to say we apologised for it. It’s not something anyone set out to do.”

Titans coach Des Hasler said Bocking had apologised straight away, but still expected him to receive a breach notice.

“Did it cost us the game? I don’t know,” Hasler said. “He will get breached. That’s the only thing that’s going to come out of it.”

Commentator Andrew Voss made his feelings known during the live call on Fox Sports, and labelled the Bocking’s actions “disgraceful”.

“You can’t make that mistake; unbelievable,” Voss said. “Have you ever seen that? I don’t know what action you take. That’s beyond the pale.”

The extra-time victory allowed the Panthers to keep their top-four hopes alive – they now sit one point behind fourth-placed the New Zealand Warriors – while the Titans’ soul-crushing defeat means they are still a live chance for the wooden spoon.

The Panthers play the Knights then the Storm, while the Titans host the injury-ravaged Bunnies next Sunday.

Co-captain Isaah Yeo picked up a shoulder injury in the first half, finished the game, but will undergo scans on Sunday.

Panthers halves Talagi and Cleary orchestrated a 24-0 lead by halftime before the Titans hit back in stunning fashion in front of 18,174 fans.

Gold Coast fullback AJ Brimson and half Jayden Campbell turned it on with sheer individual brilliance as the hosts scored five tries in 25 minutes to take a 26-24 lead in the 74th minute.

Cleary, as only he can, landed a 41m two-point field goal in the 79th minute to take the match to golden point.

He then missed his first field goal shot from 30m out before 20-year-old Talagi started and finished a 60m attacking raid in the 83rd minute.

The Panthers secured an eighth consecutive victory to leave the four-time defending premiers on 29 competition points, just one behind the fourth-positioned Warriors.

In an ominous omen, Penrith have made the grand final on all five occasions (2003 and 2020-2024) they have previously won eight in a row.

with AAP

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