Gould sacks Anthony Griffen effective immediately

The Panthers have sensationally sacked coach Anthony Griffin just four weeks out from the finals.

Cameron Ciraldo will take over as caretaker coach for the remainder of the 2018 season

The Penrith board held a meeting on Monday afternoon after months of speculation about the coach's future, confirming Griffin's contract will be ripped up with more than two years to run.

Gone: Panthers coach Anthony Griffin leaves the club in fifth place.
Gone: Panthers coach Anthony Griffin leaves the club in fifth place.
Photo: AAP
Griffin's assistant Cameron Ciraldo is set to take over for the rest of the season.

The Panthers will confirm Griffin's axing later on Monday.

Penrith has chalked up miraculous comeback wins in the last two weeks, mowing down big deficits to both the Sea Eagles and Raiders to keep their top four hopes alive.
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They are in fifth spot, trailing only the Dragons on points differential. But it hasn't been enough to save Griffin.

More to follow

Sacked: Anthony Griffin has been axed by Penrith after the weekend's scratchy win over Canberra.
Sacked: Anthony Griffin has been axed by Penrith after the weekend's scratchy win over Canberra.
Photo: NRL Photos

"Many here are saying "I hope he stays" etc. He is stupid if he did. His path is blocked unless Brown refuses his option. Even then Talagi could be a chance to play 6. Sanders was not going to stick around when he could play FG straight away from…"

"Parramatta never offered him a contract great work recruitment team our depth is running thin as it is. To busy trying to get Mitchell Pearce out if retirement "

"Perhaps, again we do not know until Friday with some evidence. It could be coming into a team that is low on form and confidence but coming out to prove a point he can ride the wave of energy. But at same time Manly, at Brooky, coming off an average…"

Replies

1Eyed Eel August 6, 2018 at 4:21pm

I can't even fathom what they are thinking
- Bup > 1Eyed Eel August 6, 2018 at 4:51pm
  
  Getting rid of him now allows the team to solely focus on the last few games without any distractions from the media in the run up to and during the finals about his tenure.
  - SuperEel 22 > Bup August 7, 2018 at 9:33am
    
    Now there's just the distraction of losing your head coach and the speculation surrounding who replaces him.
    - Robert Lloyd > SuperEel 22 August 7, 2018 at 10:40am
      
      Sir Super Eel : Not to mention the fact that Gould revealed that the players had dobb on their coach Griffen. The players will be happy about that--I don`t think! Their privacy has been abused there. In saying that, it is un-Australian to dobb people in. The next coach can expect the players to bellyache to Gould when ever the coach says something nasty to them.What has been achieved here is that the inmates are running the asylum.
- Beaker > 1Eyed Eel August 6, 2018 at 5:28pm
  
  Don't you think Bup, regardless this is still a massive distraction that has the potential to derail their shot/season
- Uncle Wizards Sleeve indigenous elder He/Him > 1Eyed Eel August 7, 2018 at 11:57am
  
  It’s a cap rorting dream come true .
  
  Ivan signs on multimillion dollar record deal
  
  Nathan signs modest contract to play under his Dad again
  
  Ivan buys his son a nice house
  
  The NRL should be watching this like a hawk .
  - robert maxwell > Uncle Wizards Sleeve indigenous elder He/Him August 8, 2018 at 4:37pm
    
    ivan is offered $700.000 a season for 5 years .
    
    he son signs on with penrith for 1ml a season for 5 years. its a package deal only..
Kramerica August 6, 2018 at 4:26pm

Obviously Arthur is headed to the Panthers.
- Beaker > Kramerica August 6, 2018 at 5:30pm
  
  Wouldn't be that cruel.
  We don't mind the pennies.
  Don't we kram ?
- Beaker > Kramerica August 6, 2018 at 7:23pm
  
  You are really dozy. Ain't ya puddin