But it is not in the spirit of the game and shows how desperate the Panthers have become to end their run of outs this season.

Cleary blows up at non-call

The Panthers are expected to cop a please explain letter from the NRL and a fine over the incident.

And all clubs will be sent a memo stating that (1) trainers are not to touch the ball during games and (2) no one is to alter the surface of the ball in any way.

It’s not ball tampering in the fashion of the infamous Australian cricket team in South Africa in 2018 that rocked the nation, but it is ‘not cricket’ as they say in the sports world.

The Panthers of 2021-2-3-4 would not have bothered with such a trivial ploy in an attempt to win games.

They would have gone out there, worn down the opposition and taken home the two points.

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But this Penrith team is a very different beast. Rival clubs have finally taken away their star power by signing player after player thanks to the salary cap.

After 10 rounds, they have just three wins and are sitting second last on the ladder.

And the fact they should stoop to such a sneaky ploy is the biggest worry of all for Panthers fans.