Penrith Panthers head coach Ivan Cleary has broken his silence over the NRL’s sanctions against club trainer Corey Bocking, voicing strong support for his long-time colleague and expressing deep concern for Bocking’s wellbeing amid the public fallout. Cleary has described the punishment as “harsh and a little unfair,” as the club grapples with how to respond to the league’s breach notice handed down earlier this week.
The controversy stems from an incident during Penrith’s dramatic 26-24 win over the Gold Coast Titans last Saturday. In the closing stages of the match, Bocking was seen inadvertently running across the field as Titans fullback Jayden Campbell lined up a crucial goal attempt. The moment was quickly flagged across the rugby league world, with some commentators accusing the Penrith trainer of interfering deliberately to put Campbell off.
The NRL issued a breach notice to the Panthers on Tuesday, recommending a five-match ban for Bocking. However, Penrith has strongly denied any intent or wrongdoing, arguing that the incident was accidental and not premeditated. They maintain that Bocking was unaware of Campbell preparing for the kick and was simply performing his regular duties on-field.
Cleary Voices Concern for Bocking’s Wellbeing
Speaking publicly for the first time since the NRL’s decision, Ivan Cleary made it clear that he believes Bocking is being unfairly treated and that the incident has taken a personal toll.
“I think the punishment is harsh and a little unfair,” Cleary said. “Corey is someone who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes for our club for many years. To suggest he would deliberately try to interfere in a match like that doesn’t reflect the man we know. He’s incredibly professional and dedicated to the game.”
Cleary also highlighted the emotional impact the controversy has had on Bocking, noting that the intense public scrutiny and accusations have been difficult for him to process.
“My biggest concern now is Corey’s welfare,” Cleary continued. “This situation has really affected him. He’s not used to being in the spotlight, and he certainly didn’t expect to be the centre of something like this. It’s been a really challenging time, and we’re doing everything we can as a club to support him.”
Panthers Weigh Their Response
The Panthers are currently considering their options and whether to contest the sanctions. While no formal appeal has been lodged yet, club officials are believed to be reviewing the footage and engaging with legal experts to determine if they have grounds to challenge the NRL’s breach notice.
“We’re still going through the process,” Cleary said. “We want to make sure we handle it the right way, and we also want to make sure Corey is okay during all of this. He’s a valued member of our team, and we’ll stand by him.”
Incident Overshadowing On-Field Success
Unfortunately for Penrith, the trainer controversy has taken the spotlight away from their hard-fought win against the Titans and their continued push toward another strong finals campaign. The Panthers, already dealing with potential injury concerns to captain Isaah Yeo, have now been forced to address off-field matters at a critical stage of the season.
Despite the noise, Cleary remains focused on preparing his side for the weeks ahead — but made it clear that defending Bocking is a priority.
“Things like this can be a distraction, but we’re a tight group,” he said. “We look after our people, and we believe in doing the right thing. Corey’s a good man, and he deserves to be treated with fairness and respect.”
As the Panthers prepare for their next challenge on the field, their coach has drawn a clear line in the sand off it: they will not let one incident — or one man’s reputation — be defined by what they believe was an unfortunate mistake.