Raiders fined $10k after trainer manhandles opposition players

The Raiders have been issued with a $10,000 breach notice by the NRL, after one of their trainers had a baffling brain snap on Friday.

The scuffle between Panthers and Raiders players.

The NRL has issued the Canberra Raiders with a $10,000 breach notice after one of the club’s trainers joined a scuffle with opposition players during Friday night’s game.

The trainer became physically involved in a melee between Raiders and Panthers players during the round five clash at BlueBet Stadium.

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The Raiders have five days to respond to the breach notice, or else cough up the $10k.

The scuffle erupted after Charlie Staines crossed in the corner for Penrith’s fourth try of the night. In his celebrations, a fired-up Stephen Crichton grabbed Joseph Tapine as he waited on the sideline to re-enter the match. It didn’t go down well with the Raiders forward.

Footage shows the Canberra trainer watch the melee unfold, before placing a hand on the back of Panthers utility Tyrone May.

The trainer then seems to grab Penrith prop James Fisher-Harris in an apparent effort to remove him from the stoush. Fisher-Harris briefly speaks to the trainer, before Canberra playmaker Jack Wighton enters the fray and pushes the two apart.

Crichton got up in Tapine’s grill late in the game.

The Sydney Morning Heraldreported that Penrith officials were less than pleased with the trainer’s actions, which contravene the NRL’s operations manual.

Section 8.8.2 of the manual states: “Under no circumstances are trainers permitted to approach or become involved in an altercation or melee involving players from either competing team.”

“This includes not attempting to separate or restrain players who may be attempting to become involved in the incident.”

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For inciting the scuffle, Crichton has been fined $1,350 but will be free to play against the Broncos in round six.

With their 30-10 defeat of the Raiders, the Panthers cruised to their fifth straight win of the year.

It was the first 5-0 start to a season for the Panthers in their club’s history.