Anthony Griffin hooked? Penrith Panthers to review football department

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PENRITH coach Anthony Griffin could be under pressure to keep his job despite having the Panthers sitting fourth on the NRL ladder, according to reports.

NRL.com is reporting the western Sydney club is embarking on a mid-season review of the football department, which includes the work of Griffin over the opening 16 rounds of the season.

Retired hooker Peter Wallace has apparently already been promoted to an official assistant coach of the first grade team, alongside Cameron Ciraldo.

There’s suggestions Ciraldo is being groomed to take the reins of the team and could oust Griffin when the 2018 season ends.

The NRL.com report claims Ciraldo and club honcho Phil Gould have started being more involved with the coaching of the team.

Penrith has worryingly lost their last two games badly.

The report comes a day after senior News Corp journalist Phil Rothfield told Fox Sports’ Controversy Corner all is not rosy at the foot of the mountains.

Rothfield says Gould and Griffin don’t see eye-to-eye on a number of issues, and it could end up costing the latter his job.

“I don’t think Anthony Griffin and Phil Gould are on the same page right now,” Rothfield said.

“I’m not sacking Anthony Griffin … it’s unusual that I rang him for my column and he didn’t return my phone calls, he didn’t call be back last week.

“Every other time since he’s been at Penrith he returns calls.

“I’m thinking there is something doing. I’ve spoken to people on the edges there and I’m told there is drama.”

Gould famously sacked Ivan Cleary from the coaching job two years ago, replacing him with Griffin.