Three Penrith players have been dropped from the senior team and will play in the reserves, after the Panthers confirmed in a statement today the players in question had committed “a breach of team protocol”.
Captain and star fullback Matt Moylan, as well as Waqa Blake and Peta Hiku, will line up in the NSW Cup on the weekend, not against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL.
The Panthers’ brief statement reads as follows:
Matt Moylan, Peta Hiku and Waqa Blake will play for the Panthers against Newcastle Knights in the Intrust Super Premiership NSW on Saturday.
The players have been dropped from the Panthers NRL side following a breach of team protocol.
The club now considers the matter dealt with and will be making no further comment.
No concrete details have been confirmed on exactly what the breach of team protocol that led Moylan, Blake and Hiku to be dropped was, however the Sydney Morning Herald is reporting the players broke curfew after the Panthers’ loss to the Melbourne Storm on Saturday last weekend.
The Panthers have had an up-and-down season so far, having lost their matches against the Dragons, Roosters and Storm, but enjoying commanding wins against the Tigers in Round 2 (36-2) and the Knights in Round 4 (40-0).
Their next match, against the Rabbitohs, will be played at Penrith’s home ground, Pepper Stadium, at 7:50pm (AEST) on Friday night.
Lidcombe Oval
Guest
Better to fine them as if they lose the game and miss the finals by a point that decision will be very much debated. Its not like they got into trouble with the Police etc.
Aem
Guest
McFadden at the Warriors did the same with 6 guys last year and ended up with the win - over a team they hadn't beaten in something stupid like 8 or 9 years. I can't remember if he kept them out the following week also and rewarded the guys who came in and stepped up for him... but he should have if he didn't.
terrence
Guest
Their crime was drinking Carlton Draught. I think they got off lightly.
souvalis
Guest
Wayne Bennett also has high standards of club protocol..when James Roberts got fined last year mid season he also got dropped to reserves..wait..a..minute..obviously a completely different set of circumstances......Hook is really risking the 2 competition points here on principles..and should be commended for having the kahunas..take a leaf out of the hook book,Wayne
Albo
Guest
Great !! Hopefully lessons are quickly learned !
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
He also did it last year when Tyrone Peachey was naughty
KingCowboy
Guest
I might be 100% wrong but didn't he do something like this with the Donkeys?
andrew
Guest
Not just dropping them, but making them play NSW Cup sounds like a Gould decision more than a Griffin decision to me. Not discrediting Griffin, just saying.
KingCowboy
Guest
Have to love Griffin, doesn't matter who breaks the rules, he has his standards and no one is above them. That is what you want from your leader.