Speculation circulated last week that Panthers players prefer assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo over Anthony Griffin - but Panthers general manager Phil Gould won't subscribe to any of the drama.

โ€œI wonโ€™t even dignify that with a comment,โ€ Gould told The Daily Telegraph.

โ€œThatโ€™s all just water cooler talk. We donโ€™t respond to it because it doesnโ€™t dignify a response.โ€

Griffin this season has guided the injury-afflicted Panthers into an equal second spot after 15 rounds of play; but there has been talk Ciraldo may have assumed some of Griffin's duties.

"We have 22 full-time people working in football at the Panthers Academy. Everything is overseen by head coach Anthony Griffin,"ย Gould said.

โ€œThe best coaches today rely heavily on their specialist staff members across all areas of coaching and development.

"Iโ€™m very happy with the way the coaching, fitness and medical teams are working together.

โ€œWe are going through a difficult time at the moment with injuries and representative football."

Penrith ahead of Saturday's match against Manly are welcoming back NSW stars James Maloney, Nathan Cleary and Tyrone Peachey, keen to bounce back from their loss to the Roosters.

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