SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 22: Anthony Griffin, Coach of the Panthers, speaks during a press conference after the round seven NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Penrith Panthers at Southern Cross Group Stadium on April 22, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

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.

“I won’t even dignify that with a comment,” Gould told The Daily Telegraph.

“That’s all just water cooler talk. We don’t respond to it because it doesn’t dignify a response.”

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," Gould said.

“The best coaches today rely heavily on their specialist staff members across all areas of coaching and development.

"I’m very happy with the way the coaching, fitness and medical teams are working together.

“We 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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