Another Panthers trainer broke the rules as Cleary kicked vital field goal

A second Panthers trainer flaunted NRL rules during the set of six in which Nathan Cleary tied the match with a crucial two-point field goal against the Titans.

In the minutes after Panthers trainer Corey Bocking ran in front of Jayden Campbell, who was about to attempt a conversion to send the Titans 28-24 ahead, a second trainer stayed on the field until well after the fifth tackle as Cleary performed his heroics.

That trainer, Shane Elford, should have left the field after the fourth tackle. As a blue shirt trainer, Elford is allowed to enter the field during any stoppage, as well as to “run messages” three times per half, but must leave the field after the completion of the fourth tackle.

He was clearly on the field for the entire duration of the fifth tackle, directing players as the Panthers desperately moved the ball from left to right in an attempt to obtain field position for Cleary’s attempt at a two-point field goal.

Tackle one: The Panthers go for a one-man hit up, and Elford is behind the in front of the goal posts talking to players.

Tackle two: Another hit up, and Elford is directly behind the play the ball.

Tackle three: He remains there as the Panthers swing left and make it to just short of the 40-metre line.

Tackle four: Elford is behind the first receiver as the Panthers swing right and get the ball down to just short of the Titans’ 20-metre line on the right-hand side of the field in close proximity to the sideline near the team benches. At the completion of this tackle, he is supposed make his way off field.

Tackle five: As the Panthers scramble toward 20m line, Elford does not head to the sideline. He stays right behind play directing traffic as the ball swings left all the way to the far sideline. He remains in the middle of the field telling players where to position themselves. As the fifth tackle is made, he is finally heading toward the sideline, which should have occurred a tackle earlier.

Tackle six: He moves toward the sideline as Mitch Kenny passes to Nathan Cleary for the two-point field goal. As he is leaving the field, he is still directing players to protect Cleary and is on the field of play near the sideline when the field goal is successful.

He was out there for one minute and twenty seconds.

The NRL said on Tuesday he has no case to answer, maintaining he was starting to come off and “it happens most weeks”.

NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now

Most Viewed in Sport

Loading