In a tense moment during the match between the Gold Coast Titans and Penrith Panthers, Brad Fittler raised concerns over an incident involving Titans’ player Jayden Campbell. As Campbell prepared to take a crucial conversion kick from in front of the posts—one that could lead the Titans ahead by four points—chaos ensued. A Penrith trainer inadvertently ran in front of Campbell’s kicking tee, provoking a strong reaction from the player and referee Liam Kennedy.
Commentator Andrew Voss labelled the incident “disgraceful,” emphasising the seriousness of the error as Campbell subsequently missed the conversion opportunity, expressing his frustration by throwing down the tee. This blunder not only affected the game’s flow but also had significant implications, as shortly after, Nathan Cleary scored a field goal, levelling the match at 26-26, ultimately leading to a dramatic golden point finish where Blaize Talagi secured victory for the Panthers.
Post-match, Titans coach Des Hasler chose not to dwell on the incident but acknowledged that the trainer could face disciplinary action from the NRL. He stated, “Did it cost us the game? I don’t know,” underscoring the ambiguity surrounding the impact of the error. Meanwhile, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary tried to downplay the situation, attributing the trainer’s mistake to a last-minute decision that led to confusion.
While Cleary offered an apology for the situation, the incident has drawn mixed reactions. Andrew Johns described it as merely “gamesmanship” and expressed indifference towards the ramifications of the mistake. Conversely, Fittler emphasised that this was an appropriate moment for match officials to take action, suggesting that adjustments could have been made to accommodate Campbell’s kick, given his evident frustration and the circumstances.
Fittler mused over what could be done within the rules of the game, advocating for a reconsideration of the kick placement due to the blunder. He stressed that the negative emotional response from Campbell should warrant further consideration of penalties adjustment to ensure fairness in play.
Overall, what was meant to be a straightforward conversion turned into a focal point of controversy, igniting discussions on referee accountability as well as the responsibilities of team staff during critical game moments.