Panthers, Cowboys trainers hit with ban as clubs face fines for illegal act

The NRL has issued both Penrith and North Queensland’s trainers with breach notices after they were observed squirting liquid onto the football during their Round 10 golden point epic.

While Panthers trainer Shane Elford first came under scrutiny for his actions, it was later uncovered that Cowboys trainer Mitchell Dunn had also been doing the same thing ahead of a kick-off.

In a statement on Friday afternoon, the NRL confirmed that breach notices had been issued to both clubs proposing a fine of $10,000 and a two-match suspension (one game suspended) for each trainer involved.

The NRL took the opportunity to add that it has reminded all clubs about the “limitation of the roles” of trainers on match day and that any action other than those allowed under the league’s rules, “may be considered a breach liable to sanctions”.

Both clubs will have five days to respond to the breach notices.

While Elford was not reprimanded by match official Todd Smith at the time, he did spot Dunn attempting to wet the ball before the second period of golden point.

Ref catches Cowboys wetting ball in ET | 00:25

“Hang on, hang on, no, no, no, no, no, nup, nup, give me the ball. You’re not doing that. No way, get another footy, another football,” Smith was captured saying on the referee’s mic.

“He squirted it with water.”

Smith then kicked the ball to the sidelines before requesting a new ball.

Click here to read article