Parramatta Eels under investigation for trainer’s illegal act during Penrith thriller

The NRL is reportedly investigating an incident during Friday’s blockbuster clash in Penrith where a trainer ran in front of the goalposts.

The NRL is reportedly investigating an incident during Friday evening’s blockbuster contest in Penrith where a Parramatta Eels trainer ran in front of the goalposts as Panthers captain Nathan Cleary attempted a conversion kick.

The NRL is reportedly investigating an incident during Friday evening’s blockbuster clash in Penrith where a Parramatta Eels trainer ran in front of the goalposts as Panthers captain Nathan Cleary attempted a conversion kick.

The reigning premiers were leading by four points when winger Taylan May scored a try in the 53rd minute, but Cleary’s conversion kick from the sideline narrowly missed the goalposts.

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However, replays showed Eels blue shirt trainer and assistant coach Steve Murphy sprinting away from the Parramatta team huddle and across the goalposts as Cleary attempted the kick.

The Eels ultimately claimed a thrilling 22-20 victory at BlueBet Stadium, meaning the Round 9 contest would have gone to Golden Point if Cleary’s kick was successful.

It was Penrith’s first loss at home since 2019.

The 2022 NRL operations manual shows that Murphy’s actions were illegal: “Trainers must not at any time enter the line of sight of a player when he is attempting a kick for goal, or do anything which may in any way unnecessarily interfere with or distract an opposition player whilst he is participating in the match or constitute some disadvantage to the opposing team.”

According to The Daily Telegraph, the NRL is investigating whether Murphy’s action were intentional. If he is at fault, Parramatta could be breached or sent a “please explain” by the NRL.

I didn't think this was allowed @NRL . Parramatta trainer running right in front cleary when kicking for goal #nrlpantherseelspic.twitter.com/g6aOEhChG9

— 𝖘𝖙𝖚𝖆𝖗𝖙 (@stuartp84) May 6, 2022

Last year, Panthers trainer Pete Green copped a two-match suspension from the NRL after stopping play late in the semi-final against Parramatta, which Penrith won 8-6, to treat injured hooker Mitch Kenny.

The Panthers were fined $25,000 and Green missed the club’s historic grand final victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

The NRL changed its rules ahead of the 2022 season, with trainers no longer permitted to stop play in the event of an injury, apart from head knocks.

Parramatta’s stunning two-point triumph in Penrith was also marred by an absolute howler from the match officials, who missed a blatant knock-on from Panthers forward Viliame Kikau.

Kikau dropped the footy after he was wrapped up by Eels centre Will Penisini in the 39th minute, but the referees inexplicably allowed play to continue.

And on the last tackle of that set, Panthers winger Taylan May dived over near the corner flag for a crucial try.

But Parramatta held their nerve in the second half to claim a dramatic victory over the reigning premiers, who had not lost an NRL match since September last year.

The Eels will next face the Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, May 15, with kick-off scheduled for 4.05pm AEST.