PENRITH has started its 2016 NRL season with two tough losses and Jamie Soward isn’t happy.

The veteran playmaker believes the Panthers have been on the wrong end of some “inconsistent” refereeing to start the year, and his reasoning behind it is concerning.

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PENRITH’S “NO-NAME” ROSTER ON WRONG SIDE OF REFS

Round 19

Penrith veteran Jamie Soward believes his side is missing out on crucial referee calls due to the absence of a “statesman”.

Whereas Melbourne has Cameron Smith and North Queensland has Johnathan Thurston, Soward says the Panthers lack a senior figure to curry favour with referees.

“Out at Penrith we don’t really have a big name to go up and question (referees), so we’re not getting the calls there,” Soward told NRL Tonight.

Matt Moylan and Jamie Soward of the Panthers speak to the referee. Source: Getty Images

“Between myself and Wal (Peter Wallace), I’m pretty emotional so I’ve got to try to calm myself down a bit.

“Wal went up last night, and hopefully when we get Moyza back but he’s up and coming.

“We probably don’t have that guy that can get you calls or gets time to be able to talk to the referee.”

Soward says the refereeing has been “inconsistent” over the opening two rounds of the season.

VOSSY WANTS ‘ZERO TOLERANCE’ ON REFEREE CONTACT

Fox Sports commentator Andrew Voss wants the NRL to adopt a zero-tolerance policy on player contact with referees.

Voss told NRL Tonight he wants the governing body to mimic the AFL’s ruling on all on-field contact with match officials.

“All good will come from it if we have zero tolerance,” Voss said.

“The AFL have it — even accidental contact on an umpire will draw some charge or a fine — and I think the NRL has to go that way.”

Voss’s comments came in reaction to David Klemmer’s charge after touching the referee during Thursday’s win over Penrith.

MANN CLEARED FOR GOANNA PRANK

St George Illawarra recruit Kurt Mann will not be pursued by RSPCA Queensland over an Instagram post involving a goanna filmed last year.

In the short social media clip posted on Mann’s account, a live goanna is thrown at a man who then falls in a river in fright.

The goanna is seen climbing out of the water at the end of the video.

“In this case it appears the goanna was unharmed but there is no doubt it was an act of extreme stupidity,” an RSPCA spokesman told AAP.

This week on the Market Watch podcast Ben Ikin, Ben Glover and Nathan Ryan run their eyes over the depth of talent at your club and their recruitment strategies.

BROMWICH CONTENT WITH STORM ROLE

Melbourne forward Kenny Bromwich says he is content to remain in his role coming off the bench for Storm.

As versatile forwards become more vital with the NRL’s interchange drop this year, Bromwich isn’t nagging coach Craig Bellamy for a starting position any time soon.

“I’m enjoying the way they are using me at the moment, I’d like to continue that on,” Bromwich told Fairfax Media.

“I like coming on when some of the other teams are tired as it means I have a bit more leg speed and the chance for some ball movement.

“I think there are a few more players out there who are smaller, more mobile forwards and it will benefit us a bit more.”

Kenny Bromwich celebrates his second half try. Source: News Corp Australia

REYNOLDS’ POST-GAME HOSPITAL TRIP

Josh Reynolds had to spend Thursday night in hospital following a tough win over Penrith at Pepper Stadium.

Midway through the second half Reynolds was hit in the back by Panthers centre Dean Whare.

The Bulldogs playmaker was floored and play was stopped as he recovered.

Channel Nine reported Reynolds had to be stretchered into an ambulance after the game and was taken to hospital.

He was reportedly released at 5am after being cleared of serious damage.

Josh Reynolds of the Bulldogs receives some attention from the trainer. Source: AAP

SHARKS COACH ISSUES WARNING TO YOUNG PAIR

Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan says young players Jack Bird and Valentine Holmes won’t pursue legal action against a man accused of assaulting them at the Coogee Pavillion.

But the Sharks mentor told Channel Nine the pair have to start thinking more carefully about when and where they choose to socialise.

Bird and Holmes were involved in an altercation with a patron at the pub last weekend but have been cleared of any wrongdoing.