Panthers, Cowboys trainers suspended for two games, clubs fined over over ball-wetting saga

The NRL has come down hard on two trainers at the centre of a ball-watering drama, handing out suspensions and fines in a bid to be a deterrent for repeat offences.

The Penrith and North Queensland trainers at the centre of the NRL’s ball-squirting drama have been hit with suspensions and drawn fines for their clubs over their actions.

The Panthers’ Shane Elford and Cowboys’ Mitchell Dunn have both been suspended for two games, and their clubs fined $10,000 each, after the pair were both caught spraying water on the football to gain an unfair advantage during the Round 10 NRL clash that 30-all golden-point draw in Townsville.

The actions were deemed to be “in contravention of the NRL rules”.

Panthers trainer Shane Elford with water dripping off the football.

Elford hands the ball to Dylan Edwards.

The NRL announced its hefty sanctions on Friday afternoon. However, the league has opted to suspend one game of each trainer’s two-match suspension.

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

Trainers will now be under the microscope going forward, with the NRL keen to stamp out this kind of behaviour as it monitors the role of clubs’ on-field staff.

“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,” the NRL said.

During last Sunday’s match, Dunn was reprimanded by referee Todd Smith and actually made to swap out the soaked ball, after he was sprung spraying water on it prior to kick-off in golden point.

Smith’s censuring of Dunn was even picked up by the ground microphones on the television broadcast.

Cowboys trainer Mitchell Dunn gives the ball a good soaking.

“Hang on, hang on,” Smith be heard saying on the No, no, no, no, no, nup, nup, give me the ball. You’re not doing that. No way, get another footy, another football.”

“He squirted it with water.”

Cowboys halfback Jake Clifford was waiting on halfway for the new ball to come onto the field so he could kick-off.

“I need a ball,” Smith reiterated. “He squirted the ball with water. C’mon.”

Ironically, it was Elford who kicked a new ball onto the field to resume play.

Then, at half-time of the extra period Elford, Penrith’s blue-shirt trainer, was caught on Fox League’s coverage using a water bottle to saturate the Steeden before handing the dripping ball to fullback Dylan Edwards for the Panthers to restart play at the kick off.

Both trainers’ actions were deemed deliberate and unsavoury as they attempted to make the football heavier and slippery for the kick receiver.

After the game, Cowboys coach Todd Payten said he could see Elford committing the act from the coaching box.

“He did it before every kick-off. We noticed it in the (coaching) box,” Payten said.

“I will let the NRL handle it. I don’t know what they’re going to do but it was noticeable to us, definitely. I don’t want to say anymore.”

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

Originally published as Panthers, Cowboys trainers suspended for two games, clubs fined over over ball-wetting saga