Trainers from Panthers and Cowboys banned after squirting water on balls

The NRL has come down hard on two clubs and their trainers for trying to gain an unfair advantage after their actions were caught on camera.

Trainers from Penrith and North Queensland are facing two-game bans and the clubs $10,000 fines after the pair were caught squirting water on balls in Townsville last weekend.

The NRL also sent a stern reminder to all clubs about the expected behaviour of trainers after Shane Elford (Panthers) and Mitchell Dunn (Cowboys) were caught trying to give their teams an unfair advantage during the golden-point draw.

Dunn was reprimanded by referee Todd Smith and made to swap out the ball he soaked prior to kick-off in golden point.

Cameras then caught Elford doing the same thing before the second half of golden point when he handed the ball to fullback Dylan Edwards to restart play

After the match, Cowboys coach Todd Payten said Elford did it “before every kick-off”.

“We noticed it in the (coaching) box,” Payten said.

WATCH: Penrith trainer Shane Elford caught on camera deliberately wetting the ball before golden point kick-offs vs the Cowboys. NRL is investigating, with Todd Payten confirming: “He did it before every kickoff.” Elford appeared to hide the act while handing the slippery ball pic.twitter.com/BxsMtwnOTA

— NRLCentral (@nrlcentrall) May 11, 2025

“I don’t know what they’re going to do but it was noticeable to us, definitely.”

In a statement on Friday, the NRL said the trainers’ actions were in contravention of the NRL rules and dished out the penalties and issued an ongoing warning.

“The NRL has issued North Queensland Cowboys and Penrith Panthers with breach notices relating to the actions of club trainers in round 10,” the statement read.

“The breach notices propose a fine for each club of $10,000 and a two-match suspension for each trainer involved (one match suspended).

“The NRL has also reminded all clubs about the limitations of the roles of trainers on match days. Any action, other than those permitted under the NRL rules, may be considered a breach liable to sanctions.”

One week of the two week bans will be suspended.

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

Originally published as Trainers from Panthers and Cowboys banned after squirting water on balls