- Footage emerges of Panthers trainer wetting the ball
- Cowboys fans are furious over the controversial act
The Penrith Panthers have found themselves in hot water after a trainer was caught wetting the football during Saturday night’s heart-stopping 30-all draw against the Cowboys.
The match was full of controversy with each side missing field goal attempts in the dying minutes at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.
Both coaches have complained about different issues, but fans seem to be most upset about a moment recorded by a spectator.
A fan-captured video circulating on social media shows a Penrith trainer handling and pouring water from a water bottle onto the Steeden seconds before Dylan Edwards kicked off.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten told News Corp, that his coaching staff had spotted the trainer doing it throughout the contest.
‘He did it before every kick-off,’ Payten said.
The Penrith Panthers have found themselves in hot water after a trainer was caught wetting the football on Saturday
The match was full of controversy with each side missing field goal attempts in the dying minutes at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville
‘We noticed it in the (coaching) box. I will let the NRL handle it.
‘I don’t know what they’re going to do but it was noticeable to us, definitely.
‘I don’t want to say anymore.’
The NRL is now aware of the incident.
Wetting the ball makes it more slippery and heavier for opponents to handle.
There is no specific rule about trainers being unable to ‘clean’ the ball, but the move has sparked debate.
Social media platforms, particularly X, have been flooded with reactions to the incident.
‘He should be fined and shamed. Such bad sportsmanship,’ posted one fan.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten said that his coaching staff had spotted the trainer doing it throughout the contest.
‘That wasn’t the only time he did it,’ replied another.
‘Hopefully a big fine coming for Penrith,’ said a third.
Payten struggled to hold himself back from swearing as he launched a stinging critique of the NRL’s match officials following the match.
The Cowboys coach says he’ll formally complain to the NRL next week but claimed on Saturday night that he’d never allow a player to get away with as many mistakes as he feels the referees make.
‘It’s so frustrating, we want consistency and we’re not getting it. I’m confused what’s a high shot and what’s not. I’m sure everyone else is,’ he said.
‘I’ll talk to the NRL through the week, go through the right channels, but it’s just white noise. ‘Yeah, we got that wrong’. But no-one’s held accountable for it.
‘If it’s my player making error after error or a couple of howlers, then there’s a fair chance he’s not in the team.’
Payten took specific issue with Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi being penalised for a high shot on Liam Henry, who slipped into the contact.
The Panthers scored from the set that followed.
Payten was incensed that Cowboys centre Viliami Vailea was not awarded a penalty minutes later after being flattened by Tom Jenkins in cover defence.
The collision left Vailea sprawled on the ground in pain.
‘Murray Taulagi got a penalty where a bloke fell into his chest and then Viliami Vailea, less than five minutes later, got his head taken off,’ Payten said.
‘It was right in front of the touch judge and there was no call there. That was wrong. There was also a flop sort on the 40-metre line. Any later and it would’ve been tomorrow.’
