Melbourne and Manly have both been hit with $2500 fines after their trainers were involved in a brief scuffle during the two sides’ qualifying final last week.
Despite the Storm trainer, ex-player Ryan Hinchcliffe, and his Sea Eagles counterpart attempting to simply break up the scuffle, the NRL displayed a zero-tolerance approach.
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The incident occurred late in the second half when Storm centre Reimis Smith jumped on top of Manly’s Brad Parker, who was on the turf after picking up a ground ball.
After Smith’s action, a number of players from both teams rushed to remonstrate.
Manly’s trainer was seen attempting to restrain Reuben Garrick, while Hinchcliffe seemed to make slight contact with Sea Eagles star Tom Trbojevic.
Trainers are strictly prohibited from being involved in on-field scuffles, as per section 8.8.2 in the NRL operations manual.
“Under no circumstances are trainers permitted to approach or become involved in an altercation or melee involving players from either competing team,” the section reads.
“This includes not attempting to separate or restrain players who may be attempting to become involved in the incident.”
The penalties handed down for the Melbourne-Manly incident come after a Raiders trainer was heavily scrutinised for getting involved in a Panthers’ try celebration during a home and a way clash between the two teams this season.
After Charlie Staines had scored a try, teammate Stephen Crichton attempted to pull Raiders forward Joe Tapine into the celebration before the Canberra trainer was seen confronting Panthers players.