Parramatta players have denied James Maloney’s accusations halfback Mitchell Moses faked injury to milk a penalty during a crucial stage of last Sunday’s feisty western Sydney derby.
Penrith centre Waqa Blake was penalised for shoving Moses in the back, the ruling costing the home side a penalty in possession and stifling an attempted second half comeback.
Parramatta won the game 20-12 at Panthers Stadium.
Maloney told the Herald: "I've got no doubt there was no issue and he laid down, I've got no doubt whatsoever about that.
"Nobody likes the diving and the carrying on in the game.”
Maloney added Moses should have been taken from the field for a concussion test because ‘he was motionless on the ground for a bit’.
Amused more than angry at Maloney’s comments, Eels fullback Clint Gutherson and winger Blake Ferguson had no doubt their No.7 was in genuine pain and not play acting.
“The replay showed Waqa got him in the back pretty hard and Mitchy wasn’t expecting it,” Gutherson told Sporting News.
“It was more his back and the whiplash (than a head injury) that was the concern.
“It would have hurt – Waqa’s not a small bloke.”
CHARGED ⚖️ Waqa Blake has copped a contrary conduct charge for pushing Mitchell Moses.
— Penrith Panthers (@PenrithPanthers) March 18, 2019
📝 https://t.co/cAS2xX8IZ4#pantherpride 🐾 pic.twitter.com/UxYT19Za2V
Ferguson added: “Jimmy says stuff all the time. He’s outspoken.
“It’s just Jimmy throwing it out there trying to get a bit of banter going.
“The refs made a decision and it was a penalty.
“They had the ball, Waqa Blake did the wrong thing by pushing a defensive player and they lost the ball.”
BEEFED UP: Moses' two incredible try-saving tackles
Moses was not required to leave the field for a HIA because the medical advice was the shove had not resulted in a head knock.
Moses was quickly to his feet and went on to play a key role in closing out the win for the Eels.
He will line up against the Bulldogs on Sunday as Parra look to go back-to-back.