Panthers coach Ivan Cleary says trainer Corey Bocking is \u201cstruggling\u201d in the aftermath of the incident in their game against the Titans on Saturday.<\/p>\n
In the latter stages of the clash, Bocking ran in front of Titans halfback Jayden Campbell as he was taking a shot at goal.<\/p>\n
At the time, the Titans led the game 26-24, and if the conversion had been successful, the Titans would have taken a 28-24 lead. <\/p>\n
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer ><\/a><\/p>\n But instead, Campbell missed the conversion attempt.<\/p>\n It turned out to be crucial in the context of the game, with Nathan Cleary then slotting a two-point field goal to take the game to golden point at 26-all.<\/p>\n The Panthers scored a try in golden point, through Blaize Talagi, and won the game 30-26.<\/p>\n As a result of the incident, the Panthers were fined $50,000 and Bocking copped a five-game ban from the NRL.<\/p>\n Cleary said he was concerned for the welfare of Bocking.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s struggling. Has been right from the time it happened,\u201d Cleary told reporters.<\/p>\n \u201cWe kind of try to temper that with banter which he takes in good nature.<\/p>\n \u201cBut yeah, he\u2019s struggling. He cares about his job and understands that he made a mistake and it\u2019s become a big deal.<\/p>\n \u201cThe man himself, the last thing he would want is any excess attention, that\u2019s his nature.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can see clearly that he was embarrassed and apologised.\u201d<\/p>\n Cleary believes the five-game suspension handed down to Bocking by the NRL was harsh.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s been a bit unfair on him, really, yeah,\u201d Cleary added.<\/p>\n \u201cI just think it\u2019s harsh and I think it\u2019s a little unfair.\u201d<\/p>\n NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo revealed the reason the punishment was so severe was partly because Panthers trainers have been involved in six separate on-field indiscretions since 2021.<\/p>\n But Cleary felt it was unfair that Bocking copped a lengthy ban because of other incidents that didn\u2019t involve him.<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n \u2018FURIOUS\u2019:NRL set to punish Panthers for trainer as extreme rule change floater<\/a><\/p>\n CRAWLS: Rap sheet that should count against Penrith in \u2018unforgivable\u2019 new drama <\/a><\/p>\n