Panther stood down for breach

Sydney: Charlie Staines – the Panthers teenager whose four-try debut almost led to a pub being drunk dry in his rural hometown – has been stood down for a “naive’’ COVID-19 biosecurity rules breach.

The 19-year-old centre grabbed a quartet of tries in the Sharks’ big win over the Panthers last Saturday – to the cost of the publican at Forbes’ Post Office Hotel who had promised his 50 patrons a free beer for every Staines score.

But, any chance of the former Forbes Magpies junior getting a repeat run may have been dashed after hosting a party for 10 family and friends.

The Penrith Panthers informed the NRL on Monday of a breach of NRL biosecurity protocols by Staines.

It said following Saturday night’s game against Cronulla, Staines hosted 10 visitors at his place of residence. The visitors included his parents, his sister, the parents of his partner and four friends. Current NRL biosecurity protocols stipulate players can host up to 10 visitors at their home each day, however guests must attend in groups of no more than five.