Penrith Panthers 'coaching' theory comes to light as NRL urged to crack down on ugly issue

The Panthers and the coaching staff have been singled out for their tactics against the Eels with a number of players called out for a dodgy play-the-ball in their brilliant NRL comeback last Friday night. Nathan Cleary led a remarkable fightback against the Eels, which saw the Panthers score three tries in the final seven minutes to win 36-34.

Although Penrith's play-the-balls in the final few minutes have come under scrutiny with claims the Panthers were getting an advantage with a 'tunnel ball' act as they hardly attempted to use their feet. The Sydney Morning Herald first brought attention to the Panthers' ruck speed in the final few minutes of the game against the Eels. Footage shows a number of quick efforts from the Panthers players, including Cleary, Brian To'o and Lindsay Smith all making little effort to touch the ball when rolling it back.

This inherently helped give the Panthers momentum as they charged up the field. The Eels were helpless to slow down the Panthers as they piled on tries to hand them a 36-34 win. And reporter Paul Crawley claimed the Panthers may have been 'coached' to speed up the ruck when the clock is against them and they need momentum. This is because the NRL has not penalised the ruck speed this year, compared to 2023.

“I reckon that’s coached to speed up the play the ball,” Crawley said on NRL 360. “It’s basically tunnel ball." Braith Anasta agreed it would be a huge advantage getting the ball to their chief playmaker earlier when the forwards are tired.

“Those seconds make a difference,” Anasta said. “If Cleary gets the ball earlier, which therefore gets (him) on an edge and gets to a certain spot where there is a vulnerability, there is a huge advantage to be gained. As a player it makes a huge difference.”

Crawley claimed it wasn't just the Panthers getting an advantage with the NRL allowing most players to get away with the faster play-the-ball in 2024. This comes as the NRL has opted to speed up the game to encourage more attacking play.

“It’s just a free for all,” Crawley said. “Very few players in a game of football will touch a ball with their foot.”

However, reporter Dean Ritchie claimed the NRL should have already made a call on the play-the-ball tactics earlier this year. “They don’t want a crackdown because they (the NRL) hate the NRL,” he said.

“This should’ve been nipped in the bud in March. That’s the problem, they’ve let it go too long now.” Former Broncos Gorden Tallis claimed it shouldn't be hard to make sure the players make an effort to play the ball with their feet, which is a simple rule all teams must follow.

Nathan Cleary leads comeback against Eels

While the Panthers have been singled out, it doesn't take away from their remarkable comeback last week, which kept them in the running for the minor premiership. Penrith will take on the Storm as the two powerhouses face of with each other on Thursday night. The Panthers are two points behind the Storm with the Thursday night clash potentially a decider for the minor premiership.

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The Storm would move four points clear at the top of the table with a win in Penrith. A win for the Panthers would see them move equal with the Panthers, but would move top of the ladder if they win by three or more. The Storm play two games away in round 26 and 27 in Queensland and Craig Bellamy might opt to rest players ahead of the finals.

This means Thursday night's blockbuster between the first and second team on the ladder could be monumental. However, both teams will have one eye on the NRL finals come Thursday and will be a prelude.