Ivan Cleary rubbishes claims Panthers are arrogant after try celebration controversy
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has rejected claims that his players are arrogant, claiming that they are simply standing up for themselves as oppositions "niggle" them.
The behaviour of Penrith's stars has been put under the spotlight this week after Stephen Crichton pulled Canberra's Joseph Tapine into his try celebration during Penrith's clash with the Raiders in Round Five, causing a minor scuffle.
Crichton was subsequently charged with contrary conduct by the NRL judiciary and slapped with a $1300 fine.
While he admitted that he is keeping an eye on his players' behaviour, Cleary rejected claims peddled this week that the Panthers' group had become cocky due to their recent success.
Panthers players were involved in a scuffle with their Raiders counterparts after Crichton's try celebration Getty
"I'm just a bit confused as to what's the problem, I don't really know," he said.
"Last week there was one incident from what I could see and that was dealt with. I don't think people see the niggle that comes from the opposition towards our team.
"I'm always on the lookout to make sure that we're behaving the right way, but I'm not too worried at the moment.
"If you don't (look after yourself), teams will keep niggling you. That's just competitive combat I guess.
"The difference between this year and last year is our boys do have more belief."
