Wallace, Griffin clear the air

Peter Wallace. Photo: Megan Dunn
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Penrith Panthers captain Peter Wallace has vowed he will be at the club next season despite a rumoured rift with new coach Anthony Griffin.

Talk of a fallout was sparked after Wallace was very critical of the way Griffin handled his axing during their time together in Brisbane back in 2013.

Wallace was dumped by the then Broncos coach in favour of current half Ben Hunt despite only weeks earlier being told his future was safe.

Soon after Brisbane granted Wallace a release from the final year of his contract so he could return home to Penrith.

Speaking with the Weekender on Tuesday afternoon, the 30-year-old said any issues the pair had during that time were well and truly put to bed.

“Everything is all good, that stuff happened a long time ago now and is water under the bridge,” he said.

It’s understood Griffin and Wallace held ‘peace talks’ at Penrith’s first training run on Monday to resolve their differences.

“There wasn’t anything to sort out,” Wallace affirmed.

“Everyone else thought there was something there but we are fine, all is good.”

Peter Wallace speaks with Weekender journalist Nathan Taylor on Tuesday. Photo: Megan Dunn.
Peter Wallace speaks with Weekender journalist Nathan Taylor on Tuesday. Photo: Megan Dunn.

With Wallace committed to honouring the final year of his contract next season, attention now swings to whether the former Origin half will keep his role as club captain.

Wallace said he’d love to lead the Panthers for a third straight season but said that decision was ultimately up to Griffin.

“I suppose you’d have to ask the coach that question,” Wallace said.

“I’ve felt privileged to lead this side the last couple of years, so I’d love to do that again but it’s up to Hook (Griffin) and what he decides.”

With Wallace still recovering from revolutionary knee surgery back in August, he returned to training this week albeit in a limited capacity.

“I’m in the gym all week but I start running next week on our anti-gravity treadmill, which takes a lot of load off your joints,” he said.

“I’ll then move on to the field to run straight lines before slowly working my way back to full training in January.”

Wallace said he expects to be fit and firing for Penrith’s final trial game in late February.


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