Jul 23rd, 2017

Penrith Panthers winger Dallen Watene-Zeleaniak was allegedly attacked at a junior league match. (AAP)

Jul 23rd, 2017

The NRL is set to investigate an incident in which Panthers star Dallin Watene-Zelezniak was allegedly attacked by a junior league official while helping out at a game on Saturday morning.

Watene-Zelezniak was acting as a touch judge in a match at Peppertree Park in Sydney’s west between St Clair and St Mary’s when the incident occurred.

The Kiwi international put his flag up to signify a St Mary’s player had stepped into touch, leading to a St Mary’s official allegedly abusing and confronting Watene-Zelezniak.

The altercation then turned physical, with the official putting his hands around the Panthers star’s neck and wrestling with him.

“It was very ugly and parents and officials had to take the kids across the field before a few people eventually broke it up,” an eyewitness told me.

“Officials eventually ejected the St Mary’s official from the oval.”

Watene-Zelezniak is one of the NRL’s good guys - a Mormon and model citizen.

Only hours after helping out at the junior league game, he played for the Panthers in their win over Gold Coast.

There is believed to be video of the incident which is set to be passed on to the NRL and Penrith junior league.

The Panthers released a statement on Sunday, saying Watene-Zelezniak wasn’t too blame for the incident.

''Penrith Panthers is aware of an incident involving Panthers player Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, which occurred at a junior rugby league fixture in St Clair on Saturday morning,’’ the statement read.

''Watene-Zelezniak was volunteering as a sideline official at the time and contacted Panthers Executive General Manager Phil Gould immediately following the incident.

''Panthers can confirm Watene-Zelezniak was not the instigator of the incident.

''The incident is currently under investigation by Penrith Junior League and Panthers will review the matter on Monday.''