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NRL issue Penrith breach notice over trainer incident

NRL breach notice to Panthers​

National Rugby League | September 21 2021 12:44PM

The National Rugby League (NRL) has issued the Penrith Panthers with a Breach Notice proposing the Club be fined $25,000 and the Club's Orange Trainer suspended from accessing the field of play and sideline for the remainder of the 2021 season after an alleged breach of the game's Operations Manual.

The Breach Notice alleges the Club's Orange Trainer stopped play incorrectly in the 76th minute of Saturday night's NRL Telstra Premiership Final against the Parramatta Eels.

The Manual makes it clear that a Head Trainer can only stop play after making an initial assessment that circumstances require a doctor to enter the field of play.

The NRL has also issued a warning to the Club's Blue Trainer for his role in the stoppage.

The club will be permitted to use an alternative staff member in the Orange trainer role for the remainder of the season to ensure the welfare of Panthers players.

The Panthers have 5 business days to respond to the Breach Notice. A provisional suspension applies until the Club's response has been received.

LINK: NRL breach notice to Panthers » League Unlimited
 

Someguy

First Grade
Messages
6,699
This incident (and most of the knights stoppage rorting) could be minimised with a few tweaks. If the play is not in immediate line of fire, trainer goes to player calls him out of game and sub runs on before injured play (who is no longer playing any part) is off the field.

right now we are seeing players clearly needing a HIA being left on field to save the stoppage for a strategic time, and play stopped for players in back play that may or may not be seriously injured. Let the trainer asses call them ‘dead’ and replacement (if any interchange left) comes on straight away

players close to the play will still need a stoppage but it will take away many strategical stoppages
 

I Bleed Maroon

Referee
Messages
25,571
I think it says a lot when you consider that of the four teams remaining in the finals (admittedly the top 4 of the regular season), only 1 of those 4 haven't been embroiled in some sort of negative press regarding nefarious tactics, mind games and pushing the rules right to the edge during this finals series, and that's Manly.

Melbourne - We all are very familiar with their bullshit, even if the press haven't had them in the gun over it recently (funny that)
Penrith - Manipulating momentum by calling sudden stoppages at crucial times, abusing the concussion interchange etc
Souths - Bennett made sure to weave his own brand of ref manipulation and politicking in the leadup to Week 1 and it worked wonders

There really is nothing noble about the competition this year. It's been so bad. How is it so difficult for these gutless match officials to call games down the middle and tune out the noise?
 

Perth Red

Post Whore
Messages
65,411
Game has been fine for over a hundred years with the ref being in charge of when the play needed to stop. Stop fricking with the rules and there’d be no problem. Vlandys ball sucks.
 

forby

Juniors
Messages
2,137
It is just a media beat up to generate more controversy!
It didnt affect the game any more that the trainer stopping the game to escort Blake down the sideline when he was already off the field.
Parra should cop exactly the same penalty for the same offence.
 

The_Frog

First Grade
Messages
6,390
Penrith - Manipulating momentum by calling sudden stoppages at crucial times, abusing the concussion interchange etc
When you get a player put on report for a reportable foul, the opposition gets two free interchanges, to do with as they wish. This is a further disincentive to foul play. The trick to this is not committing fouls.

They've decided that our trainer was guilty of manipulating the rules to gain an advantage, but is that really any different to Blake Ferguson feigning injury to get a penalty? So why wasn't he charged? Why are some things hammered and others ignored?
 

I Bleed Maroon

Referee
Messages
25,571
When you get a player put on report for a reportable foul, the opposition gets two free interchanges, to do with as they wish. This is a further disincentive to foul play. The trick to this is not committing fouls.

They've decided that our trainer was guilty of manipulating the rules to gain an advantage, but is that really any different to Blake Ferguson feigning injury to get a penalty? So why wasn't he charged? Why are some things hammered and others ignored?

Presumably because Fergo's crusher dive didn't happen at a crucial time in the game when the result was on the line. I'm not defending it, I hate that shit as much as the next person, Rugby League becoming like Soccer in those terms is my worst nightmare, but there is a clear difference in the severity of the indiscretion based on where the game was at when the incidents happened.

As for the interchanges, even if you take the two freebees you mentioned off the table, that still means Penrith conducted 13 interchanges on the night. That means 5 free HIA interchanges. 5, in one game which also happens to be an elimination final.

Don't insult our intelligence with that nonsense Frog. Your team was gaming the system, just as everyone else does granted, but your team took it to such an extreme on the weekend that it was frankly beyond the pale.
 

blaza88z

Coach
Messages
15,065
The biggest thing here that made it the easiest decision of all time for the NRL is that the trainer approached the touch judge before even making an effort to get out to the player, that right there in itself tells you the welfare of the player wasn't the primary reason they wanted the game stopped, it's not really something Penrith can even defend
 

blaza88z

Coach
Messages
15,065
When you get a player put on report for a reportable foul, the opposition gets two free interchanges, to do with as they wish. This is a further disincentive to foul play. The trick to this is not committing fouls.

They've decided that our trainer was guilty of manipulating the rules to gain an advantage, but is that really any different to Blake Ferguson feigning injury to get a penalty? So why wasn't he charged? Why are some things hammered and others ignored?

If you watch the footage (which I have no doubt you have done), you will see clearly the Penrith trainer makes zero effort to get out to the player.

Who cares what Parramatta do? your team obviously cheated, it should be Parramatta taking on Melbourne this weekend and you know it.

In fact, I suggest this thread turns into a discussion about Parramatta, what do you say?
 

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