Penrith Panthers lose $500,000 after NRL Nines refereeing blunder
Clubs question why NRL Nines should be taken seriously after major refereeing blunder left Penrith Panthers counting the costs in more ways than one.
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Furious Penrith officials estimate the club lost up to $500,000 on a refereeing howler that completely reshaped the NRL Nines tournament last weekend.
Despite entering a red hot side for the two-day Perth carnival, the Panthers walked away with just $75,000 in prizemoney after being robbed of a quarter-final win against St George Illawarra.
Right on fulltime, referee Ben Cummins incorrectly awarded a match-winning try to breakout Dragons rookie Cody Ramsey, despite replays clearly showing the Steeden was grounded well outside the left touchline.
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Had Penrith progressed to the final, as St George Illawarra later did, they would not only have doubled their prizemoney, but also been in line for the $250,000 winners’ cheque.
Privately, Panthers officials also feel the botched decision cost them well into six figures for the extra media exposure they would have generated with a finals appearance, most notably through host broadcaster Fox Sports.
For the Nines final on TV, the audience peaked at 201,000.
Elsewhere, an early Nines exit also meant hundreds of Panthers fans departed early from the club’s various licensed venues.
While some in League Land have shrugged off the decision given the laidback nature of Nines footy, Penrith’s ire also stems from the fact head coach Ivan Cleary took the tournament so seriously — playing a red hot side at an event no less than five rival coaches even failed to attend.
While Canberra Nines captain Elliott Whitehead never even played a minute of football, despite being one of his club’s few big names, the Panthers saw solid performances over two days from several NRL stars including Cleary, Viliame Kikau and Api Koroisau.
That run came to an untimely end in the quarters however, with the incorrect call gifting St George Illawarra a 17-14 win.
While using the NRL Bunker at Nines events would be unworkable, and against the very nature of the shortened, fast-paced tournament, the Panthers were still furious that a referee, touch judge and in-goal touch judge all combined over the incorrect call.
Elsewhere, the club remained filthy that its Origin and Test players were also forced to prepare and recover on the opening day in temperatures that reached 43 degrees.
While the NRL provided every team with an enclosed marquee behind the eastern grandstand at HBF Park, a power outage meant there was no airconditioning or power.
Many of the makeshift dressingrooms, included those belonging to Penrith, were also not shaded by the grandstand, ensuring they quickly resembled saunas.
Speaking after the Dragons loss, halfback Cleary questioned how three officials had combined for the baffling decision.
Confused players had actually stood watching the big screen replays seconds after the decision was made, with Penrith centre Dean Whare clearly tackling Ramsey over the sideline before the Steeden was also placed into touch.
“It sucks,” Cleary told The Sunday Telegraph.
“I was right there and saw it perfectly.
“I was actually going in to high five Dean Whare because he made the tackle and saved us the game.
“It was so obvious.
“But (of the three officials), I don’t think anybody saw what happened.”
Originally published as Penrith Panthers lose $500,000 after NRL Nines refereeing blunder