Roosters officials lodged a complaint with the NRL ground manager after former Panthers winger Josh Mansour was accused of coaching Penrith players from the sideline on Thursday night.
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Former Panthers cult hero Mansour was sideline for the 12-6 loss to the Roosters, working the microphone at CommBank Stadium as ground announcer.
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The Roosters, however, are said to have taken exception to some of Mansour’s actions during the game.
According to Code Sports, the club complained that Mansour was giving advice to Penrith wingers Tom Jenkins and Brian To’o from the sidelines.
The publication reported that while the NRL spoke to Mansour, they were satisfied he was offering support to the players instead of actually coaching them.
Only trainers are allowed to communicate coaching messages with players during stoppages in play under NRL rules.
Mansour is said to have stopped talking to To’o and Jenkins after he was spoken to and cleared the air in an interview with Code Sports post-game.
“It was no big deal,” Mansour said.
“I actually thought it was comical when they asked me to stop. It’s not like I was sitting there with some big tip sheet of information about the Roosters players.
“I was calling out stuff like any fan would.
“The reason the Roosters may have piped up when they did was because their side started to look like they were on the ropes. They thought I was giving them an edge.
“I thought it was hilarious. It was all fun.”
Jenkins also played down the incident when asked by Code Sports.
“He was doing exactly what your teammates or trainers would do, and that’s tipping you up on little things, and seeing things you maybe don’t see,” the Panthers winger said.
“In saying that, us boys are good at communicating with each other, seeing what’s coming, and how they’re looking. It’s part of the game. (You welcome) any advantage you can get.”
Josh Mansour is now a ground announcer.Source: Instagram
PANTHERS SET FOR BIG TRIPLE SIGNING BOOST
The Panthers suffered a devastating blow this week when superstar winger Brian To’o agreed to join the PNG Chiefs in 2028, but they have had a significant signing victory on Friday.
Premiership star Paul Alamoti has put pen to paper on a new deal that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2029 season.
Alamoti, 22, joined Penrith in 2024 after one season with the Bulldogs and celebrated his first year at the club with a try in their grand final win over the Storm.
The Tongan international scored 17 tries last season and has become a mainstay on the right edge alongside To’o.
Alamoti will be sidelined indefinitely after he suffered a left hamstring injury during Thursday night’s loss to the Roosters, with scans to determine whether he’ll return in time for the finals which begin next month.
He was already signed for 2027 but is now locked in long term.
Penrith’s retention is a huge story with Scott Sorensen and Liam Henry some of the players moving on at the end of the year, while the likes of Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo become free agents on November 1 if they don’t re-sign.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Yeo is expected to recommit to the club before the finals while ESPN reported Isaiah Papali’i has also reached an agreement with the Panthers to stay beyond the 2027 season.
The re-signing of Paul Alamoti (left) is a coup for the Panthers, with a number of players including Nathan Cleary, off contract later this year. Picture: NRL PhotosSource: Supplied
“Paul has continued to grow as a player since joining the Panthers and has become an important member of our squad,” Panthers general manager of rugby league Shane Elford said of Alamoti.
“He has shown his ability to perform on the biggest stage and, at just 22 years of age, still has plenty of improvement ahead of him.
“We’re delighted that Paul has committed his future to the club and look forward to seeing him continue in Panthers colours until at least the end of 2029.”
— Martin Gabor, NewsWire
EELS TARGET PANTHERS SUPREMO
It’s not just Penrith players who rival clubs are coming after, but the man who has helped orchestrate the organisation’s dynasty.
The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that the Parramatta Eels are looking to lure over Penrith chief executive Matt Cameron to replace outgoing boss Jim Sarantinos.
On Thursday the Eels announced that Sarantinos would leave his post at the end of the season after 10 years in the role.
Parramatta are keen to lure Cameron back to the club.
Cameron started at Parramatta in 2006, working in various lower-grade and assistant coaching roles before leaving for the Wests Tigers and later Penrith from 2012.
He helped rebuild the club and take advantage of its huge junior base to help produce many stars while managing the salary cap.
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Following the news that Sarantinos was leaving, Eels chairman Matthew Beach said: “The appointment of the club’s CEO is a very important decision for the club, its players, coaches, staff, members and fans. We are undertaking a thorough recruitment process.”
“That will no doubt involve people approaching us, and us approaching people we feel are the right fit for our club. Out of respect for the process and the potential candidates, we won’t be commenting on who we are or who we are not proposing to interview,” he said.
The Daily Telegraph is reporting Cameron has knocked back an ‘initial approach’ by Parramatta, but said the club would likely try again to convince him to jump ship.
Cameron leaving Penrith would be a huge blow to incoming coach Peter Wallace, who is set to start his coaching career in 2028 after Ivan Cleary leaves.
Sarantinos joined Parramatta in 2016 as the Eels were recovering from a salary cap scandal.
He has been praised after guiding the club out of cap trouble while achieving record membership numbers and overseeing the construction of a world-class centre of excellence.
“When I arrived in 2016, the club was facing a difficult period in its proud history. There were many challenges ahead, but I held a deep belief that this club could once again become the organisation its members, fans and community deserved,” Sarantinos said this week.
“One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been seeing the culture that has taken shape across the club. We have worked hard to create a place where people enjoy coming to work, look out for one another and build strong relationships. The sense of connection that exists today is something I hope continues to grow.”
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Beach paid tribute to Sarantinos for his work at the Eels.
“Jim has helped guide the club through one of the most significant periods of transformation in our history,” Beach said. “Jim has always led with integrity, passion and an unwavering commitment to the best interests of the Parramatta Eels,” he said.
When contacted by foxsports.com.au, Penrith refused to comment.