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Great White
we scored a try off one of his shoulder charges bumping off
IT seems Matt Elliott is not the only one feeling the heat out Penrith way as the new season approaches.
Senior forward Trent Waterhouse and young buck Joel Romelo shocked team mates recently by trading punches at training.
The fight was so spirited it forced Elliott to halt an opposed session that was taking place when tensions erupted.
One onlooker said Waterhouse resented a "heavy" tackle from Romelo, a member of Penrith's Under 20s squad yet to taste first grade.
The former Test lock got to his feet and towered over the diminutive 19-year-old hooker.
But despite giving away nearly 15kg in weight and 24cm in height, Romelo stood his ground and went toe-to-toe with his big-name opponent.
"Waterhouse just got up from the tackle and they just sort of looked at one another for a split second," the onlooker said.
"Then it was on for young and old. The kid (Romelo) didn't take a backward step either."
Other team mates rushed in to separate the brawling pair, while Elliott reportedly extended them both an invitation to "finish it out the back and then return to training."
The coach did not return our call last night.
Panthers general manager Mick Leary confirmed the altercation had taken place, but was satisfied the pair had resolved their differences. He said no action would be taken against either player.
"It's just that time of the year where the boys are itchy to play and I suppose you could say there were a few frustrations," Leary said.
"From the report I received, there was a bit of push and shove between Trent and Joel but they've now sorted it out."
In brighter news for the Panthers, the club is the equal favourite, with St George Illawarra, to snare Todd Carney to a long-term deal from the 2010 season onwards. It is understood the banished former Canberra Raiders playmaker will make a bid to play for the NSW Cup feeder side of whatever NRL club he joins.