Penrith say they are “vigorously defending” suspended physio Peter Green, with the club set to contest the NRL’s breach notice for stopping play in last week’s semi-final win over Parramatta.
Coach Ivan Cleary on Friday came to the defence of Green, backing his integrity after the club were handed a $25,000 fine and the physio was stood down for two weeks.
Green attracted the ire of the NRL when he asked for play to be stopped with Mitch Kenny injured in back play while Parramatta were on the attack late in the 8-6 win.
The Panthers are due to submit a response to the NRL by Tuesday, but are making no secret of backing their man.
“We care about our people here and feel like it’s a little disappointing,” Cleary said.
“We’re talking about a guy who is extremely popular and outstanding at his job, with the utmost integrity.
“We feel bad for both of our trainers involved, one of which was named and shamed which I just think is completely unfair.
“We kind of understand how that the NRL were put under pressure with so much publicity.
“We understand how they may have come to that conclusion but at the end of the day, they were just doing their job.
“They care for our players and that type of thing happens every game and every week but we get it, but certainly in the background we’re vigorously defending it.”
Penrith’s defence is expected to centre around the fact Green was already on his feet on the sideline when Kenny went down, and could immediately assess that he was seriously injured.
The NRL’s protocols state that a trainer can only request play be stopped if an initial assessment shows a doctor is required on-field.
It’s believed that Penrith will argue that the doctor was then not able to come on-field as they were already conducting a HIA on Scott Sorensen.
Penrith took two physios into their Queensland bubble and will be able to replace Green in an on-field capacity in Saturday’s preliminary final against Melbourne.
But they were working still with the NRL on Friday afternoon on how they would be able to ensure they had a second physio as required on the sideline.
“We’ve patched our medical staff up like the rest of the team. We’ll be okay,” Cleary said.
The Mexican
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing:
mushi
Roar Guru
He might have been surfing?
theHunter
Guest
That is just a dumb defense excuse (he was already on his feet on the sideline when Kenny went down, and could immediately assess that he was seriously injured) Every Tom, Dick and harry will lie down the next time a quick play the ball is against him and the coach will tell the physios to shout out from the sidelines and stop play and state the same excuse over and over again. Something is going wrong between his ears
Walter Black
Guest
Defending the indefensible. You are not hard done to Panthers you get away with murder as it is. This incident cost the Eels a potential Preliminary appearance, it cost you $25k Q.E.D.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Seriously?? This guy knew what he was doing, he should lose the Blue Shirt for good, they got off lightly.
The Mexican
Roar Rookie
Ben it’s Cojones (pronounced cohones) not kahunas. :happy: :stoked: :silly: :laughing:
The Mexican
Roar Rookie
The fact they are fighting the suspension just shows the trainer's actions are premeditated with the main purpose of the Panthers gaining an advantage when they are under the pump, let them contest the charge & then ban the trainer for the whole of next season as well, this sort of behaviour should not be tolerated in the NRL and given the trainer's prior offences the NRL should come down really hard on him.
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
Yeah, I can’t believe this is the angle Cleary and the Panthers have taken. They got off far too lightly as it is, and now they want to have a whinge about unfair treatment? I’ll give him this; he’s certainly got kahunas. Too bad he won’t be able to back them up with a premiership.
Cam
Roar Rookie
Panthers are flogging a dead horse here.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
The arrogance! Get the popcorn and watch this back fire spectacularly in Ivan's face. He just wont learn. The colossal hiding the Panthers will cop against the Storm on Saturday should surely send the Panthers back to reality.