Brad Fittler has branded the controversial Eels trainer incident “absolutely ridiculous” and “stupid” but Andrew Johns has challenged him, declaring Nathan Cleary “wouldn’t have had a clue”.
Last Friday’s heavyweight showdown between the Panthers and Eels in Penrith took an odd turn when Parramatta assistant Steve Murphy ran across the face of the goal posts as Cleary attempted a conversion.
The Penrith halfback missed the goal, leaving the scoreline at 14-10 in the Panthers’ favour, and the Eels eventually won the game 22-20.
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The NRL has since confirmed that correct protocols were followed in not granting Cleary a re-kick, but an investigation by the governing body is ongoing.
“It’s ridiculous. It is ridiculous that a trainer runs across the front of the goal posts when someone is kicking a goal. It is absolutely ridiculous,” Fittler said on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and The Eighth.
“The minimum it should be is a re-kick … as a trainer, that’s just the golden rule: don’t impede on the other team. Even if you’re out there the entire time of the game, giving your blokes water and whatever, don’t impede on the other team … running under the goal posts as he’s about to kick it, in front of two judges, was stupid.”
Johns, one of seven players in history to have scored more than 2000 points in his career, drew upon his own experience as he batted away the trainer drama.
“As a kicker, you’re focused on the ball,” Johns said.
“He wouldn’t have had a clue who was running, wouldn’t even be watching, wouldn’t even know.
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“Doesn’t affect anything, doesn’t affect the kicker. He’s in the zone. He’s not even looking.”
Fittler continued to argue.
“I can understand that, but it’s more to do with the fabric of the game.”
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