The REAL reason ‘old-school’ Penrith Panthers coach was sacked

The ruthless axing of an ‘old-school’ rugby league coach just weeks before his high-flying team played finals football left fans across Australia shocked and confused.

But, according to insider sources, Penrith Panthers’ coach of three years Anthony Griffin, was sacked after management came across a game plan with ten words.

Australia’s elite NRL coaches dedicate days to preparing sophisticated match plans, targeting the strengths and weaknesses of opposition week in and week out.

Before the Panthers’ crushing 50-18 defeat against the Brisbane Broncos in round 19, Griffin reportedly gave his players a single sheet of tactical instructions.

The ten-word ‘game plan’ was allegedly leaked to the Wide World of Sports by an unidentified member of the Panthers coaching team. 

A ten-word ‘game plan’ was allegedly leaked to the Wide World of Sports by an unidentified member of the Panthers coaching team

Penrith Panthers coach of three years, Anthony Griffin (pictured), allegedly didn't put in the hard yards for the team's crushing defeat against the Brisbane Broncos in round 19

Penrith Panthers coach of three years, Anthony Griffin (pictured), allegedly didn’t put in the hard yards for the team’s crushing defeat against the Brisbane Broncos in round 19

The brief document told players to maintain a ‘ruthless defence’, and to remember their preparation and discipline.

These documents, the publication alleges, are generally long winded, detailed, and give players a strategic element to the game in which they are about to play, depending on their opposition.

Players were allegedly disenfranchised, and felt as though they were learning nothing, gradually losing confidence in Griffin’s abilities as a coach.

In an interview with Nine, the club’s general manager of football, Phil Gould did discuss an internal review that occurred after the 50-18 loss, suggesting the weight of the loss fell on Griffin’s shoulders.

‘If our senior management had their way Anthony Griffin probably would have been sacked three months ago after an internal review,’ Gould said.

‘There was another one after we were beaten by the Broncos by 50 points up there a few weeks ago. Neither review came up good for the coach.’ 

‘They wouldn’t have won a premiership the way he was coaching.’

A spokesperson from the Penrith Panthers said they are ‘not in a position to verify whether there was any truth behind the leak.’ 

Phil Gould (right) did discuss an internal review that occurred after the 50-18 loss, suggesting the weight of the loss fell on Griffin’s (left) shoulders

 



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