The Penrith Panthers have come under scrutiny for their tactics during their recent NRL match against the Parramatta Eels, where they staged a dramatic comeback, winning 36-34 by scoring three tries in the final seven minutes. While their comeback has been widely praised, questions have been raised about the way the Panthers played the ball during the final minutes, with allegations that their technique gave them an unfair advantage.
The controversy centers around the Panthers’ play-the-ball actions, particularly in the closing moments of the game. It was noted that several Panthers players, including Nathan Cleary, Brian To’o, and Lindsay Smith, made little effort to use their feet when playing the ball. Instead, they appeared to employ a ‘tunnel ball’ technique, rolling the ball back quickly without properly touching it with their feet. This tactic, critics argue, allowed the Panthers to gain momentum and advance up the field rapidly, leaving the Eels defenseless as they secured the winning tries.
The Sydney Morning Herald was the first to highlight the Panthers’ ruck speed in the game’s final moments, prompting discussion and debate among NRL commentators. Reporter Paul Crawley suggested that the Panthers may have been ‘coached’ to accelerate the play-the-ball when under time pressure, exploiting the fact that the NRL has not been strict in penalizing ruck speed violations this season, unlike in 2023. Crawley voiced his suspicion on NRL 360, stating, “I reckon that’s coached to speed up the play the ball. It’s basically tunnel ball.” His concerns were echoed by Braith Anasta, who pointed out that getting the ball to key playmaker Nathan Cleary more quickly could significantly impact the game, especially when the opposition’s forwards are fatigued. Anasta emphasized that “those seconds make a difference” in a match, and any advantage gained by speeding up the play-the-ball could be decisive.
Crawley went further, arguing that it is not just the Panthers benefiting from this leniency but that the NRL has generally allowed players to get away with faster play-the-balls in 2024. This relaxation of the rules, he suggested, is part of the NRL’s broader strategy to speed up the game and encourage more attacking play. “It’s just a free for all,” Crawley remarked, noting that “very few players in a game of football will touch a ball with their foot.”
However, not everyone agrees with this approach. Reporter Dean Ritchie criticized the NRL for failing to address the issue earlier in the season, suggesting that the league’s reluctance to crack down on these tactics is due to a desire to keep the game fast-paced and exciting. Ritchie argued that the NRL should have dealt with this problem in March, stating, “This should’ve been nipped in the bud in March. That’s the problem, they’ve let it go too long now.” Former Broncos player Gorden Tallis also weighed in, arguing that enforcing the rule requiring players to use their feet when playing the ball should not be difficult. He emphasized that this is a basic rule that all teams are expected to follow.
Despite the criticism, the Panthers’ remarkable comeback against the Eels remains a significant achievement, keeping them in the race for the minor premiership. Their next challenge is against the Melbourne Storm, a crucial match that could determine the minor premiership’s outcome, with the Panthers currently just two points behind the Storm. The Thursday night clash between these two powerhouses is eagerly anticipated, as both teams vie for top honors in the NRL.
