Panthers lash back at Rabbitohs' trainer furore

3 years ago 325

The Panthers person laughed disconnected an authoritative Rabbitohs ailment astir the fig of times 1 of their trainers enters the field, saying "we've got nary involvement successful it astatine all" and asking wherefore it's "such a fuss".

As Penrith and South Sydney zero successful connected Sunday's expansive final successful Brisbane, the tense subplot playing retired betwixt the 2 clubs took different twist when, according to a News Corp report, the Rabbitohs sent an email to NRL caput of shot Graham Annesley.

The study claims South Sydney alleged Penrith trainer Hayden Knowles had entered the tract 13 times during the Panthers' preliminary last triumph implicit the Storm.

Trainers are allowed to instrumentality to the tract 3 times per fractional erstwhile their squad is successful possession of the ball, portion moments successful the crippled similar tries and dropouts are besides opportunities for a trainer to marque their mode onto the pitch.

The reported email follows the feud that played retired betwixt Penrith manager Ivan Cleary and South Sydney mentor Wayne Bennett earlier and aft their qualifying last clash, successful which Cleary accused his counterpart of trying to "manipulate" the referees.

Panthers main enforcement Brian Fletcher has responded to the study of the Rabbitohs' email, dismissing South Sydney's attack arsenic they strive to redeem themselves from last year's expansive last decision to Melbourne.

"We're talking astir a bloke successful a bluish shirt, and we're disquieted astir winning the prize, not a bloke who is moving connected the field," Fletcher said.

Gould debunks Cleary 'manipulation' rhetoric

"We've got not involvement successful it astatine all. Why is it specified a fuss?

"We've got our eyes connected the large prize and we've got to bash everything we tin to springiness it our champion shot.

"(Panthers wide manager) Matt Cameron has spoken to (Knowles) to marque definite helium doesn't interruption the rules, but he's an experienced trainer who has done State of Origin.

"How tin you archer what effect helium has by being connected there? How galore times has (Broncos trainer) Allan Langer been connected the field?

"It's not going to fuss us."

The Panthers had recovered themselves embroiled successful a abstracted trainer play lone 2 weeks earlier their qualifying last against the Storm, aft trainer Pete Green hurtled onto the tract and forced referee Ashley Klein to halt play successful Penrith's semi-final triumph implicit Parramatta.

NRL to blasted implicit Panthers' ref manipulation, greats say

The determination was successful effect to Mitch Kenny falling to crushed injured successful backmost play, but Green called for play to beryllium stopped earlier assessing the seat hooker, which is adverse to NRL rules.

It whitethorn person besides outgo the Eels a accidental to triumph backmost the lead, with Parramatta being forced to halt portion attacking Penrith's try-line successful the dying minutes, trailing 8-6.

The NRL deed the Panthers with a $25,000 good and Green was suspended from his trainer duties for the remainder of the season.

The hostility betwixt the Panthers and Rabbitohs has remained precocious during expansive last week contempt Cleary's determination to not prosecute successful a warfare of words with Bennett.

Cleary said during his post-match property league aft Penrith's preliminary last triumph implicit Melbourne that helium would debar clashing with the maestro manager this week.

"I'll beryllium doing what I'm bully astatine and staying successful the background," Cleary said.

Cleary has featured successful 2 expansive finals arsenic a manager and mislaid both.

The Warriors mislaid to the Sea Eagles 24-10 successful the 2011 expansive last and the Panthers fell to the Storm 26-20 successful past year's decider.

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