Extra Time May 17 2024

eight games. one venue. three days. cheers to that !

A TOUCH OF MAGIC

Photo: Megan Dunn.

the final word

The Panthers and Warriors head to Magic Round this weekend but the chief magicians have been grounded.

Inspirational leaders Nathan Cleary and Shaun Johnson will both be missing after picking up injuries last weekend, but the pressure gauge reads differently for both these sides without their leaders.

Penrith sit in second spot on the ladder and have arguably got through the toughest part of their draw. While losing Cleary isn’t ideal, the team is well positioned to survive the two months without him and still have a serious tilt at the Premiership.

For the Warriors, the pressure is getting real. Now sitting 14th on the ladder, they haven’t won since thrashing Souths back in early April and lost their fourth straight match last Sunday after appearing to forget the game had started, conceding four tries in the opening 12 minutes.

There were high hopes for the Warriors this year on the back of a top four finish last season, but if they drop this game on Sunday there will be serious question marks over their ability to make the Finals.

And Magic Round doesn’t necessarily make things any easier for Andrew Webster’s team. They’ve lost their last three games at the festival of footy, and haven’t beaten the Panthers in their last eight match-ups. To make matters more difficult, they’ve lost their last five games at Suncorp Stadium.

Despite a tonne of injuries, the Warriors aren’t totally without hope here. Penrith come into this game not only without Cleary, but with back-up halfback Brad Schneider also missing after being injured in a horrible incident last Friday night in NSW Cup.

That means Jarome Luai and Jack Cole will be left to guide the team around – and while both

are capable of doing so, there’s no doubt things may look a little clunky at times. Thankfully, they’ve had a full week of preparation together and were able to blow out the cobwebs last Friday night given Cole just happened to be on the bench.

The Warriors have named Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad at five-eighth alongside former Panther Te Maire Martin.

In a boost, the Panthers welcome back both Izack Tago (suspension) and possibly Scott Sorensen (injury).

So with all the injuries and shake-ups in the halves, where does this game land?

I don’t think the Warriors will repeat last week’s early efforts. You can bet your bottom dollar Webster has focused on a better start this week, especially given the match was pretty even once his side finally clocked on at Allianz Stadium.

And I think the Warriors will get their fair share of good field position, given neither Cole or Luai have a long kicking game that matches that of Cleary. Penrith’s defence – a trademark of their Premiership run – will need to be solid. I can see this game being like the Souths match a few weeks ago. A rusty start from Penrith, maybe even conceding the first couple of tries.

But as the 80 minutes wears on, Penrith should have the forward pack and the class out wide to get the job done.

Desperation won’t be enough for the Warriors. They’ve been desperate for weeks now, and last Sunday’s game against the Roosters would have taken plenty out of them.

A close one for 40 minutes, perhaps, but Penrith fans should be able to put their feet up for much of the second stanza.

Tip: Panthers by 18.

TWO MONTHS WILL DEFINE TITLE HOPES

TROY DODDS

Eight weeks will determine whether Penrith can win a fourth straight NRL title, as they confront the middle of the season without the game’s best player leading them around the park.

The Panthers confirmed on Sunday that Nathan Cleary suffered a grade two hamstring tear against the Bulldogs on Friday night, the same hamstring that saw him miss a chunk of games in the early part of the season.

The club expects him to be out for eight weeks.

“He’s pretty shattered actually, it’s very disappointing for him,” Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said post-game on Friday night.

Penrith sit in second position on the ladder and are on track to finish in the top four. But just how they navigate this next eight weeks will decide their Premiership fate.

Working in the side’s favour is that they’ve been here before. Through suspension, Origin representation and injury, Cleary hasn’t played a full season of games in any of the team’s Premiership triumph seasons.

But this time around, the understudy is not waiting in the wings. Brad Schneider, brought to the club this year to fill in for Cleary when needed,

suffered a bad leg injury in reserve grade on Friday and is expected to be out for at least a month.

It means Jarome Luai and Jack Cole will guide the side around the park for now.

There’s a touch of irony in that, with Luai set to wear the number seven jersey at the Wests Tigers next season.

This is Luai’s time to not only prove his worth to the Tigers but to leave one final mark on a special Penrith legacy.

Penrith start their odyssey without Cleary on the road, with a Magic Round clash against the out-of-form Warriors this Sunday before taking on top-of-the-table Cronulla a week later.

Clashes against the Dragons, Sea Eagles and Knights follow – two of those at home – before a bye in Round 16.

It’s then a Queensland double against the Cowboys and Broncos before another bye and then Cleary’s likely return against the Dolphins on Sunday, July 21 at BlueBet Stadium.

By then, the task confronting Cleary over the competition’s most defining period will be known.

But regardless of what Cleary can do in the final month and a half of the regular season, it will be the next eight weeks without him that will decide Penrith’s fate this season.

If they still finish in the top four after such a setback, you’d be a fool to rule them out of a fourth straight Premiership.

Nathan Cleary limps from the field last Friday night. Photo: NRL Photos.

LEOTA OPENS UP ABOUT MATE’S EXIT

Three-time premiership-winning prop Moses Leota has long been regarded as one of the toughest men to ever pull on a Panthers jersey.

Since he was a young teenager, he’s put his body on the line for his teammates.

He’s bled for Penrith.

But when his best mate, James Fisher-Harris, confided in him about his decision to leave the Panthers at the end of the year, Leota felt his world crashing down around him.

“He told me the night before he told the rest of the boys,” the 28-year-old revealed to Extra Time on Tuesday.

“I sort of knew something was up – you could feel the energy – then he ended up coming out and telling me.

“I was pretty distraught.”

Fisher-Harris’ monumental decision to quit the Panthers for his hometown New Zealand Warriors sent shockwaves through the playing group and wider NRL community.

Leota said hearing the news firsthand “hurt”, but he understood the decision his fellow ‘bash brother’ had to make for himself and his family.

“I remember when he told me… I was speechless. It didn’t really sink in

until a few days later,” Leota said.

“I’m happy for him but I’m going to really miss the bro. The heart wants what the heart wants.”

The New Zealand skipper was

granted an early release by the Panthers on compassionate grounds.

Born in Auckland himself, Leota said he has no plans to follow his best friend out the door and back

he doesn’t have much family here. Most of his family is back home in New Zealand.

“I already have family here. I’ve got heaps of family here and he doesn’t. That’s why he was feeling a bit home sick not having that family environment around him. That was a big cause for him to go.”

Armed with more than $900,000 in salary cap space, Penrith have a huge decision on their hands as to how they are going to spend the money freed up from Fisher-Harris’ contract.

While they pursued Titans forward David Fifita hard last week, they missed their man and now have to continue their hunt for his replacement.

Leota said the club should look to shore-up its current talent first before looking externally for players to join Penrith’s pack.

“To be honest, I feel like we have the players here to step up in Lindsay [Smith], Horse (Liam Henry) and Eiso (Matt Eisenhuth),” he said.

across the Tasman.

“Nah, nah… I’ve still got a few years left on contract,” the St Marys junior confirmed.

“But it was tough for him because

“I believe we’ve got the players already, but whatever the club wants to do is up to them.

“I’ve got faith in the boys here to get the job done.”

Nathan Taylor this week.

Photo: Melinda Jane.

panther rumblings

LYNCH LEFT INCREDIBLE MARK

! First recruitment masterstroke: It was sad to hear of the passing of the great Ron Lynch this week. A 12-time representative for Australia, Lynch is rightly being remembered as a Parramatta legend but his move to Penrith in 1972 should not be forgotten. It was one of the club’s first big recruitment moves after the struggles of the early years. He’d already played 194 games for the Eels before he headed further west. Lynch only played two seasons for Penrith but he was immediately installed as captain in 1972 and won the Player of the Year award. He didn’t miss a single game in his two years at the club. He died on Sunday following a long illness, 31 days before his 85th birthday. “He played 238 games during the 1960s and 1970s, holding his own amongst some of the finest players the game has produced. He was also highly respected and regarded by those who came across him,” said ARL Commission Chairman, Peter V’landys. “On behalf of the Commission, I extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to Ron’s family, and all those who knew him.”

! Mates forever: Brian To’o and Sunia Turuva were all smiles when catching up with former teammate and now Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton after last Friday’s match. However, before the game – it was all business. The teams ran off after their pre-game warmup at the same time, and while Crichton was right next to Nathan Cleary, the pair didn’t even look at each other.

! Last ditch call: Penrith coach Ivan Cleary made one last phone call to David Fifita in the hours before he agreed to join the Sydney Roosters next season. But after Wednesday’s backflip, we can be grateful it didn’t shift his thinking. The Panthers have been left bewildered by the whole Fifita situation and how elements of it unfolded. But they’d surely now be breathing a sigh of relief, with the Roosters left embarrassed.

! Spotted: Isaah Yeo making sure he led the Panthers off the field at half-time against the Bulldogs last Friday night, even if it meant shoving Dylan Edwards out of the way to do it.

! Panthers still favourites: The loss of Nathan Cleary for eight weeks hasn’t frightened the bookies, who still have Penrith as clear Premiership favourites. The Panthers are $3.25 to win the competition, and $1.01 to make the Finals. The Roosters and Brisbane share the next line of betting.

! Magic Round Merch: If you’re heading to Brisbane this weekend for Magic Round, you’ll be able to get your hands on some exclusive merchandise. There’s a 2024 Magic Round Ball, and a cap – with $5 of every sale going to charity. Plus there’s Magic Round shirts and

jerseys too. Don’t forget the precinct opens well before kick-off each day. It opens at 4pm Friday, 1pm Saturday and 12pm Sunday – with lots of activations around the stadium.

! Magicians grounded: The official Magic Round program rightly highlights some of the stars of the game, but as it turns out, many of them are injured and won’t be playing this weekend. The program includes a ‘Magicians of Magic Round’ section, which profiles the likes of Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nathan Cleary, who are both out this weekend. Meanwhile, all three days of Magic Round have officially sold out.

! Milestone for Dallin: In a touch of irony, Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will bring up his 200th NRL game against the

the State of Origin series in extra player payments.

! Spill the tea: Got some gossip? Spotted a player? I don’t keep secrets but I do protect my sources. Email your news to maskedpanther@ westernweekender.com.au.

Panthers on Sunday. A Penrith junior, it’s been a decade since Watene-Zelezniak made his debut for the Panthers, going on to play more than 100 first grade games before joining the Bulldogs and the Warriors.

! Cleary’s costly injury: As if his hamstring injury wasn’t enough, Panthers captain Nathan Cleary will also cop a hit to the back pocket as a result of his time off the field. He would have netted about $100,000 through

Ron Lynch.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak as a Panther.

MITCH KENNY

PANTHERS DODGE DAVID FIFITA BULLET

Only in rugby league.

Panthers CEO Matt Cameron’s frustration at missing out on landing David Fifita’s prized signature turned into a massive sigh of relief on Wednesday.

After agreeing to join the Sydney Roosters from 2025, snubbing an offer from Penrith, Fifita has now produced one of the great footy backflips and will stay with Des

Hasler at the Titans, stunning the NRL community.

The Roosters have been left highly embarrassed by the situation and could not hide their anger in a statement issued on Wednesday.

“Despite his management making the initial approach to the Club and Fifita personally informing the Sydney Roosters’ Chairman and Head Coach of his intent to join the Club last Thursday, Fifita has since expressed doubt about

his decision,” the statement issued at 7.40am Wednesday said.

“Consequently, the Club has elected to withdraw its offer with view that it is in the Roosters’ best interests. The Club wishes Fifita all the best.”

A few minutes earlier, the Titans had taken to social media to declare:

“He’s staying”.

“The Gold Coast Titans can confirm David Fifita will remain at the club beyond 2024 and have approved his request to activate his player option for the next two seasons,” a club statement said.

The Panthers missed out on signing the powerhouse forward after making a huge recruitment play for the 24-year-old in recent weeks.

Cameron was left anticipating a call from Fifita’s management for much of last week after the club finalised an

offer earlier this month. It followed a meeting between Fifita and Panthers coach Ivan Cleary.

Now, Cameron would have to be glad the call never came.

Fifita informed the Titans last Thursday he would be heading to Sydney and by the close of business, he’d agreed to join the Roosters.

It followed Chairman Nick Politis becoming heavily involved in discussions.

On Wednesday, Fifita confirmed he had changed his mind in a dramatic and unexpected turn of events.

“I’m extremely grateful for the time and interest shown in me over the past two weeks, but upon further reflection, I have made the decision that I want to remain a Titan beyond 2024,” Fifita said.

“I’m excited about the direction the team is taking and being close to home, and my family has been

central to helping me make this decision.”

Fifita stormed into the rugby league world in 2018, making his debut for the Brisbane Broncos. He played Origin for Queensland just a year later.

The powerful second-rower joined the Titans in 2021, but it’s widely accepted in the game he hasn’t reached his full potential at the club.

Fifita has played more than 100 first grade games, and represented Queensland on eight occasions. He’s also played for Tonga.

Penrith’s 2025 plans were thrown a huge curve ball last month when three-time Premiership winner James Fisher-Harris asked for a release, which was subsequently granted on compassionate grounds. It sparked Penrith’s first real look at the top end of the market in six years, and Fifita’s name popped up.

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Titans forward David Fifita is staying at the club next year. Photo: NRL Photos.

David Fifita in action for Gold Coast. Photo: NRL Photos.

TROY DODDS

FOOTY CLUB

With Nathan Cleary likely to be sidelined for the entire upcoming State of Origin series I can only see four Panthers players making the team for the opening match on Wednesday, June 5 at Accor Stadium.

Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin all grab a spot in the 17 while I think Jarome Luai and Izack Tago haven’t done enough to get into the side.

Before I go through my Panthers selections here is my NSW team for game one, barring further injuries of course.

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Brian To’o

3. Stephen Crichton 4. Bradman Best 5. Zac Lomax 6. Nicho Hynes

7. Mitchell Moses 8. Payne Haas

9. Api Koroisau 10. Jake Trbojevic 11.Angus Crichton 12.Haumole

Ola’Kau’atu 13. Isaah Yeo.

14. Cameron McInnes 15. Liam Martin 16. Stefano Utoikamanu

17. Reagan Campbell-Gillard.

FOUR PANTHERS TO PLAY FOR NSW lang on league analysis

with Peter Lang

With Dylan Edwards leading the Dally M voting by six points after 10 rounds, it’s time to cut the cord with James Tedesco, make the hard decision and drop him. Well, if we’re being truthful, it’s not really that hard of a decision.

Put simply, NSW Blues coach Michael Maguire needs to bite the bullet and pick the best player in the NRL at fullback.

Brian To’o on one wing and Isaah Yeo at lock pick themselves. Their form for Penrith so far this season has been exceptional.

To’o just keeps eating up the metres and making multiple tackle breaks every game while Yeo is in career best form. With Cleary gone for the next eight weeks Yeo will have his hands on the ball more often and that can only be a good thing for the Blues.

Finally, and just by the skin of

his teeth, I’d put Liam Martin on the bench. While his form hasn’t quite hit the heights of last season, Martin is built for Origin and could well be a one-man wrecking ball when bought into the game against the Banana Benders.

Unfortunately, I can’t find a spot for either Jarome Luai or Izack Tago. Luai has had a slow start to the season but could really shine over the next few months in the absence of Nathan Cleary. Tago

started the season strong but his form has fallen away in his last few games and I couldn’t pick him ahead of either Stephen Crichton or Bradman Best.

The rest of the team picks itself, well kind-of.

RE-SIGN LUKE GARNER

I believe that Luke Garner is one of the most improved players in the team this year and thoroughly deserves to be re-signed for at least two more seasons.

We need to stop looking at other players like Angus Crichton or Jaydn Su’A and sign Garner first. It just makes sense. He knows the systems, he knows the culture, he runs great lines and I would hate to see him go to another team and shine.

If you’re only as good as your last game, then Garner is greatness. Against the Dogs he ran for 112 metres, made 38 tackles and had eight tackle-breaks.

Of course, I’m not suggesting Penrith give him a million dollars a season but I’m sure a decent salary agreeable to both parties could be negotiated.

Garner came to Penrith last year on less than what he was on at Wests Tigers to reunite with coach Ivan Cleary and become a better player.

Mission accomplished.

The Western Weekender Penrith Panthers Player of the Year competition runs throughout the season, with our four experts delivering a 3, 2, 1 rating for the best Panthers players from each Penrith

Could Dylan Edwards get a Blues call-up? Photo: Megan Dunn.

panther memories

Penrith have won premierships, produced superstars of the game and had great success over the years, but one of the most significant days in the club’s history was way back on April 23, 1967.

It was on this day that Penrith Park was officially opened – the venue that would go on to be the hallowed turf that so many memories were made on.

When it opened on April 23, 1967 it looked nothing like it does now – many upgrades over the years have taken away the bulk of the 1960s heritage that existed at the venue.

The official opening game was against the ferocious Dragons, a side that had won 11 straight premierships.

The Dragons were obviously the favourites, but Penrith had emotion and celebration on their side and ran out 24-12 winners.

The crowd on that day was 12,201 and each one of them witnessed something very special in the history of Penrith.

RAIDERS BRONCOS KNIGHTS SHARKS COWBOYS PANTHERS EELS DOLPHINS

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