Panthers fuming over Parramatta surface
Steve Jancetic AAP Fri, Mar 23, 2012 - 11:06 PM
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary labelled the Parramatta Stadium surface for Friday night's NRL local derby "disgraceful", suggesting it may have played a role in Nathan Smith's suspected broken ankle.
Smith was taken from the field and rushed to hospital four minutes into Penrith's 39-6 crushing of the Eels, with the Panthers lodging an official complaint over the state of the sandy surface at halftime.
The field appeared noticeably chopped up through the middle third, with Cleary claiming the under 20s curtain raiser was held up for some time to repair large divots.
"The state of the field was disgraceful," he said.
"I can't say for sure that led to or helped cause Smithy's injury, but I certainly hope not.
"It's just not up to NRL standard, not even close.
"These guys deserve better - for the life of me I don't know why it's so bad."
Cleary claimed Smith's injury was similar to that of winger Michael Gordon, who was ruled out for three months with a fractured fibula.
Asked if he knew why the surface was so bad, Cleary said:
"All I know is the result, and if we've lost a bloke for a long time, we're not happy about it."
The state of the surface wasn't the only issue to arise for ground officials, with a gold ring thrown onto the field after Travis Burns had scored to make it 33-0 just after the hour mark.
The ring - which landed ten metres in from the sideline on halfway - was retrieved by Eels trainer Craig Catterick, who handed it to the NRL ground manager on duty.
NRL officials will be sure to view CCTV footage in an attempt to find the transgressor.
