The NRL is set to clamp down on the involvement of trainers following several controversial incidents this season while one expert believes players who feign injuries should be “shamed”.
Code Sports are reporting that the NRL will sit down in a couple of months and discuss the role of trainers in an end-of-season review.
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The role of trainers are limited to running three messages onto the field per half, offering first aid and providing water, yet some teams’ trainers have been getting away with much more.
NRL powerbrokers and some coaches around the league are said to be frustrated with certain teams making a mockery of the rules and constantly skirting the law.
That feeling has been exaspratated in recent weeks after two incidents of trainers interfering with play.
On Sunday, a Cowboys trainer was hit by a loose pass, potentially robbing the Eels the chance to dive on it.
That was eight days after Penrith trainer Corey Bocking ran in front of a Titans’ conversion attempt. Bocking copped a five-game suspension.
Back in May, another Panthers trainer Shane Elford was punished for dousing the ball in water before Penrith were to kick off to the Cowboys in golden point.
Code Sports believes that due to the spate of incidents in 2025, the role of trainers will be slashed from next season.
While trainers will be a major talking point in the NRL office at season’s end, another issue that could potentially be discussed as well is how to stop players feigning injury to draw penalties.
This issue rocketed into the headlines over the weekend after Titans star Jayden Campbell didn’t stay down after copping a high tackle, which was missed by the on-field referee.
As Campbell quickly played the ball, the Bunker weren’t giving the chance to look at the replay which in turn denied the chance for the Gold Coast to tie the game up with a penalty shot in the final minute.
Now is the norm of players ‘diving’ to earn a penalty, Campbell’s actions were commended.
There were also a couple of separate incidents in Sunday’s Eels-Cowboys game of players who stayed down despite clearly not being injured.
Veteran journalist Phil Rothfield praised Campbell for not staying down, as did News Corp colleague Brent Read, who stated his bugbear of players feigning injuries.
“The only way you’re going to fix this, this is not an NRL issue players staying down, taking dives and feigning injuries, this is a players and coaches issues,” Read said on NRL360.
“They need to be shamed into getting back onto their feet.
“Some of the incidents in the Eels-Cowboys game was disgraceful.”