LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
NRL fans are demanding clarification after footage surfaced showing a Penrith Panthers trainer, Shane Elford, pouring water on the Steeden ball just moments before Dylan Edwards' kick-off in golden point against the North Queensland Cowboys.
The thrilling match ended in a draw, with several missed field goal attempts from Nathan Cleary, Scott Drinkwater, and Jake Clifford.
Throughout the game, controversies arose, including Cowboys coach Todd Payten questioning a Penrith penalty linked to a suspected head-high tackle, while Penrith coach Ivan Cleary was frustrated over a kick that appeared to strike Drinkwater's toe before resulting in an offside scenario.
Both coaches ultimately accepted the drawn outcome.
The emerging footage shows Elford handling the ball and spraying it with water, raising eyebrows among fans.
While there are no rules against trainers cleaning the ball, a wet ball could unfairly disadvantage the Cowboys in the humid, slippery conditions of Townsville.
Many fans expressed displeasure about the trainer's involvement at such a critical moment, while others defended him, asserting he was merely preparing the ball.
Despite no indications that the exact ball was used for the kick-off, the incident has ignited calls for the NRL to address the issue, as the role of trainers on the field remains a contentious topic among fans.