Penrith has got some explaining to do with a viral video appearing to catch a veteran trainer red-handed during the Panthers’ golden point thriller against the Cowboys.
The 30-30 draw was full of controversy as both clubs butchered field goal attempts in extra time at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville on Saturday night.
It appears the most controversial moment of all has only been revealed after the match with amateur sideline footage appearing to show Panthers trainer Shane Elford spraying the ball with liquid from a water bottle before the opening period of golden point.
The viral clip showed the Steeden was left dripping wet after Elford had twice sprayed the ball before handing it to fullback Dylan Edwards to kick-off.
The Penrith Panthers have told news.com.au the club is aware of the video.
As first reported by Code Sports, the NRL is also aware of the video and veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield believes Elford was set to receive a fine.
“It’s unusual isn’t it… could this be seen as ball tampering? I guess a little water on the ball is going to make it a bit more difficult for whoever is taking the kick,” Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast on Monday.
“Look I think it is against the spirit of the game, it’s not a major scandal. But I think the NRL will certainly fine Shane Elford.
“People I spoke to on the weekend said it’s not the first time he has done it and they’ve spoken to him about a couple of little tricks he gets up to on the football field.
“I am sure he will be fined at some stage later this week.”
Cowboys coach Todd Payten told Code Sports, his coaching staff noticed Elford doing the same thing throughout the match
“He did it before every kick-off,” Payten said.
“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.”
At one point of the viral clip, Elford is seen spraying the ball while talking to hooker Mitch Kenny with other players standing nearby as he committed the act.
Wetting the ball makes it heavier and more slippery for opposition teams to handle
It is not the only time Elford and Panthers trainers have been accused of overstepping the mark.
There were calls before the 2022 NRL Grand Final for Panthers trainers Pete Green and Elford to be banned from the season finale after a series of incidents with opposition players.
Saturday night’s incident is now expected to be scrutinised by NRL officials.
The Panthers have their own reasons for being upset after the referees missed an off-side infringement that would have given Penrith an opportunity to kick a match winning penalty goal.
With scores locked at 30-30 with a minute and a half to play in regulation time, a Panthers kick appeared to hit Scott Drinkwater on the foot before falling to John Bateman in an off-side position.
The referee ruled play on, but a penalty goal would have given Nathan Cleary a kick from 30 metres out to ice the win
