THE Panthers could be looking to offload coach Anthony Griffin in order to bring in Trent Barrett and John Cartwright.

Griffin’s three-year tenure at the Panthers, including 68 games and 40 wins, could be coming to an end according to James Hooper.

“There has been so much outside noise in relation to the Panthers and their coaching situation,” Hooper told Fox League’s Big League Wrap.

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Round 20

“The noise won’t go away at the moment, that perhaps Anthony Griffin might move on at the end of the season and he could end up coaching over in the Super League or somewhere else.

“That would mean that perhaps the door opens for Trent Barrett and John Cartwright, who won a premiership at the Panthers many years ago when they won their inaugural title, to go back out west and head up this young gun roster.

“It is arguably one of the best lists in the competition.”

Michael Ennis pressed Hooper on when the noise will become reality.

“That is the million-dollar question, but it has been around all season,” Hooper said.

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“There is no way anything will happen prior to September, but I just wonder as players, all that constant noise simmering, does that become a distraction and does that flow onto the field.”

Were it not for a record late comeback against the Sea Eagles, the Panthers would have lost five of their past six games.

Phil Gould has shown a willingness to shake things up in the past, as evidence by bringing in Griffin to replace Ivan Cleary, despite Cleary being quite successful at the club.

“I’m not saying it is set in stone, but the talk has been consistent all season,” Hooper said.

“This noise has been simmering away in the background for most of the year and I don’t think Saturday’s result would have a bearing on it either way.

“If it had gone the other way and they lost to Trent Barrett and John Cartwright, then maybe it would have flared up even more so.

“It is just a ‘watch this space’ at this point in time because as we know in rugby league, things can turn on a ten cent piece.”