The NRL’s ball tampering controversy has taken a fresh turn with the North Queensland Cowboys being caught out.
The footage came to light on Monday afternoon in the wake of Penrith’s trainer being sprung spraying the ball with liquid from a water bottle before the opening period of golden point.
Viral footage showed the Steeden was left dripping wet after Shane Elford twice sprayed the ball before handing it to fullback Dylan Edwards to kick-off.
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Cowboys coach Todd Payten told Code Sports his coaching staff noticed Elford doing the same thing throughout the match.
But now CODE Sports has revealed footage showing Cowboys trainer Mitchell Dunn doing the same thing as Elford ahead of a kick-off.
After being handed the ball by referee Todd Smith, Dunn turns and appears to spray the ball with a water bottle before handing it off.
Dunn however was busted by Smith who yelled at the trainer for what he had just done.
“Hang on, hang on, no, no, no, no, no, nup, nup, give me the ball. You’re not doing that. No way, get another footy, another football,” Smith says.
“He squirted it with water.”
The irritated referee then kicks the ball to the sidelines before requesting a new ball to get the second period of golden point underway.
“I need a ball,” Smith reiterated. “He squirted the ball with water. C’mon.”
News.com.au has contacted the Cowboys regarding the footage.
The twist comes after Penrith’s trainer copped plenty of criticism with Fox League commentator Andrew Voss saying trainers shouldn’t be anywhere near the ball.
“Trainers, don’t touch our balls,” Voss said on SEN’s Vossy & Brandy show.
“Under no circumstance should trainers be touching the balls. It’s a bit odd and it’s a really quick fix.”
Voss asked: “When the ball is caught by the player, is any of the water still on the ball after it’s flown through the air?”
Panthers legend and board member Greg Alexander replied: “I’m going to say not much (water).”
Voss added: “Maybe its more of an act of stupidity than cheating? The science of it might actually dismiss it as an act of futility that achieves absolutely nothing.
“I think he (Elford) should be fined.”
Alexander agreed: “It doesn’t look good.”
Saturday night’s incidents are now expected to be scrutinised by NRL officials with CODE Sports stating “it is likely the NRL will fire out an edict this week reminding trainers that they cannot tamper with the football”.
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