Penrith asks Brian To'o for explanation after exposure of sexualised Instagram comments about teammates' partners

The Penrith Panthers have asked winger Brian To'o to explain a series of sexualised comments he posted about teammates and their partners after the Daily Mail published screenshots of the remarks.

According to the Daily Mail, To'o replied to Instagram posts from several Panthers players following the club's awards night, using demeaning language that referenced partners by their first names. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that To'o told club officials he was remorseful, described the posts as in poor taste and characterised them as a joke gone wrong.

The published comments included references to Penrith captain Nathan Cleary and Matildas forward Mary Fowler, with To'o reported to have written "Fowler slayer" alongside a goat emoji and a red heart. Other players and their partners were targeted in similar fashion; Scott Sorensen was reportedly called "Elle smasher," Matt Eisenhuth "Holly destroyer," Tom Jenkins "Jess wrecker" and Luke Sommerton "Keira demolisher." All of the players To'o commented on had been recipients of club awards at the presentation.

When contacted by the Daily Mail, the Panthers declined to comment, and the outlet reported To'o had also been approached for comment. The Sydney Morning Herald said the club had asked To'o to explain the incident after he expressed remorse to officials.

The posts drew immediate backlash on social media, with some Instagram users saying they were "grossed out" and calling for the players to hold To'o to account. Several commentators suggested To'o may have believed he was sending private direct messages rather than public replies on Instagram stories. Others referenced prior highly publicised incidents at To'o's wedding in December 2022, when off-colour jokes and a later TikTok in which To'o was recorded discussing an explicit sexual act prompted criticism and an apology from former teammate Jarome Luai for remarks he made during the wedding speeches.

The revelations come as Penrith prepare for a do-or-die NRL finals match against the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland on Saturday. The club has already been handling a separate issue after a fan of the Warriors posted the Panthers' accommodation details in a Facebook supporters group and urged followers to disrupt the team's pre-match rest with fireworks and noise. The post was reported to the NRL.

"We're aware of the post that has been circulating," Panthers rugby league chief executive Matt Cameron said, according to the club's public comments. "I'm all for the fans being passionate about their team. I would expect both sets of fans to act responsibly while still supporting their clubs. There's a lot of respect between the two clubs and everyone is excited about the challenge of going to New Zealand and playing in front of a full stadium."

At the awards presentation on Tuesday, Cleary won his third Merv Cartwright Medal as the club's highest individual honour. Jenkins received the John Farragher Award for courage and determination and was also named Members Player of the Year. Eisenhuth took the Senior Education Award, Sommerton was named NSW Cup Player of the Year and Sorensen was recognised as Club Person of the Year.

The Panthers have asked To'o for an explanation as they balance internal discipline, public scrutiny and preparations for the playoffs. The club and To'o have not publicly disclosed further details about any potential sanctions or the outcome of the player's meeting with officials.

The NRL has not issued a statement on the matter as of publication. Journalists contacted Penrith and the NRL for comment.