The Panthers find themselves under heavy scrutiny after one of their trainers disrupted Jayden Campbell's crucial conversion attempt during a dramatic clash with the Titans.
The Titans had fought back from 24-points down, taking a 26-24 lead courtesy of a Phillip Sami try in the 73rd minute.
Campbell lined up his sideline conversion when Panthers trainer Corey Bocking ran directly in-front of him, halting his routine and causing immediate outrage from commentators and the crowd.
Referee Liam Kennedy warned the trainer as Campbell protested. Bocking apologised quickly, but the damage was done, and the Titans halfback missed the important kick.
Fox League callers Andrew Voss and Michael Ennis predicted the fallout from the incident would be significant, given the crucial stage of the game.
Campbell's missed kick kept the Titans' lead at two. Minutes later, Nathan Cleary nailed a two-point field goal to send the game to golden point.
In extra time, Blaize Talagi crossed for the match-winning try, breaking the Titans hearts after their comeback seemed destined for a famous finish.
Titans coach Des Hasler, who is under strict warning from the NRL regarding officiating comments in the past, chose his words carefully when asked about the controversial moment in his post-match press conference.
"Did it cost us the game? I don't know," he said.
"He'll get breached, that's the only thing that will come out of that."
Hasler refused to accuse the trainer of gamesmanship but admitted the incident left a sour taste given the stakes.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary later apologised in his post-match press conference, attributing the mistake to a last-minute substitution.
"We had a sub that we were going to do and I changed it at the last minute," he said.
"That’s what he was doing.
"In the end it was just an honest mistake, he apologised straight away."
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This isn't the first time Penrith trainers have attracted attention. Earlier this season, one received a breach notice for spraying water on the ball.
The NRL will now likely review the incident and trainer protocol generally to avoid future controversy.