Another Panthers star dragged into ‘appalling’ NRL Grand Final breach

A second Penrith Panthers player has reportedly been dragged into an “appalling” Covid-19 breach from the NRL Grand Final.

A second Penrith Panthers player has reportedly been dragged into an “appalling” Covid-19 breach from the NRL Grand Final.

Last week, police alleged three men from Western Sydney entered Queensland illegally to watch the rugby league decider at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

Police allege the three men made their way to Queensland with “incorrect border passes” and were subsequently fined.

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It was first reported the trio, all aged in their 20s, may be known to Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary, prompting an investigation from the NRL Integrity Unit.

On Monday, The Daily Telegraph reported Panthers teammate Tyrone May would also be quizzed by the NRL Integrity Unit. According to the News Corp report, Cleary and May were seen celebrating with the three men immediately after the game.

It is not suggested Cleary or May were aware of the alleged border breach.

“It’s appalling not just sneaking across the border but potentially … making false statements in documents as well which is a pretty serious matter,” Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said on Saturday.

“If that’s not enough of a deterrent, that you are putting every person at risk by travelling across that border … the irresponsibility of walking into a stadium, knowing you’ve come from a hotspot and putting everyone at risk.

“I am extremely disappointed, and I hope it sends a clear message to other people that this is not acceptable.”

The Panthers avenged last year’s grand final loss. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Penrith legend Greg Alexander believes the Panthers’ grand final celebrations became “a bit out of control” and members of the playing group need to “pull their heads in”.

The Panthers claimed their third ever premiership when they held off a spirited Rabbitohs outfit at Suncorp Stadium earlier this month.

But Alexander, who is the deputy chairman of the Panthers Group board of directors, believes some of the players went too far in their celebrations.

“There have been a couple of social media things that haven’t impressed me,” Alexander told SEN Radio.

“I think a couple of our players need to pull their heads in after what they’ve posted on social media.

“It gets a bit out of control. I don’t follow social media.

“I’ve had people tell me about what’s been posted, and some of it shouldn’t have been.

“It was a bit out of line.”

While Alexander didn’t call specific players out, May’s celebratory Instagram post alluding to his highly publicised court case raised eyebrows among the rugby league community.

Nathan Cleary and his father Ivan with the Provan-Summons Trophy. Picture by NRL IMAGES

With Jasper Bruce, NCA NewsWire