Ivan Cleary has spoken out against the “unfair” suspension of Panthers trainer Corey Bocking following an incident during Round 22. Bocking found himself in trouble after stepping in front of Titans player Jayden Campbell while he was preparing to take a sideline conversion during the second half of Penrith’s tight win. As a consequence, Bocking has received a five-match ban, and the Panthers have also been fined $50,000 by the NRL for this breach.
Cleary expressed that the penalty felt excessively harsh, noting that it is one of the stiffest sanctions given in the NRL this season. Reflecting on Bocking’s emotional state post-incident, Cleary mentioned, “He cares about his job and understands he made a mistake, but it’s become a considerable issue for him.” The trainer’s embarrassment and regret were evident, especially as Cleary faced some accountability for the circumstances leading to the incident, having altered a substitution that led to Bocking’s positioning on the field.
“This was the first time in four years Corey has even run that line,” Cleary explained, indicating that it was an unusual situation for the trainer. He maintained that if anyone should bear the blame, it should fall on him.
The NRL’s decision comes amid heightened scrutiny, particularly after previous infractions by the club—such as Shane Elford spraying water on a ball during a game earlier this season, which league officials stated impacted the severity of this latest punishment. Notably, Phil Gould has characterised the issue as being overemphasised during discussions on the “100% Footy” show, while some critics have pointed out the crucial nature of the incident, suggesting that Campbell’s missed conversion likely influenced the Gold Coast’s loss in extra time.
Moving forward, Penrith will face the Knights this weekend without Bocking, as he will be sidelined from his duties until the finals. Cleary’s defence of Bocking suggests a sympathising view of the pressures faced by trainers during intense matches, aiming to advocate for more reasonable disciplinary measures within the sport.