Extra Time March 29 2024 (NRL Round 4 - Panthers v Roosters)

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ound 4 of the NRL kicks off with what is arguably the match of the round between the Panthers and Roosters, both having enjoyed two wins so far this season and both coming off big wins last weekend.

But the biggest story heading into this game has been who is not playing rather than who is, with Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary ruled out due to a hamstring injury.

It’s a significant blow for Penrith, but opens the door for Brad Schneider to make his club debut. He follows in the footsteps of Sean O’Sullivan and Jack Cogger in stepping into Cleary’s shoes.

Meantime, a knee injury to Scott Sorensen will see Mavrik Geyer make his long-awaited first grade debut. He’s been named on the bench and while it’s an away game, you can imagine the reception when he runs on.

The Panthers were strong against Brisbane last week, never really letting their 2023 Grand Final opponents into the contest and Cleary weaving his magic across the park. The game did fizzle out in the last half hour or so, but so early in the season you’d rather put the car in neutral than put the pedal to the metal.

The Roosters were clinical against old rivals the Rabbitohs, piling more pain on coach Jason Demetriou and signalling that they will be a mighty player in this Premiership race as the season rolls on.

The two sides are fairly evenly balanced heading into this clash – the Roosters have conceded 37 points, Penrith 38. The Roosters have an average completion rate of 80 per cent, the Panthers 78 per cent. In short, it could go either way on paper.

But the loss of Cleary will weigh heavily on

Penrith, and it certainly turned the betting markets completely around earlier this week.

Conversely, the Roosters have received some positive news when it comes to their halfback Sam Walker. He’s been cleared to play despite initially being designated a category one concussion last Friday night.

I’m expecting the Roosters to take Penrith on up the middle, taking some inspiration from Parramatta’s ultimately failed attempt at breaking in the front door a fortnight ago.

There’s been the odd sign that the Panthers are vulnerable in the middle so far this season and with Sorensen and James Fisher-Harris both out, Trent Robinson may sense an opportunity.

Of course when given the chance, the Roosters will be heading wide with kicks, with Daniel Tupou and Dominic Young boasting a

significant height advantage over their Penrith counterparts. You can expect Sunia Turuva and Brian To’o to be peppered with bombs.

Penrith will no doubt be getting plenty of ball to Izack Tago who is showing all the signs of a standout season, leading the competition in line breaks and having already scored three tries this season.

I’m not over-stating it when I say this deserves to be billed as the game of the year so far – Trent Robinson and his Roosters bouncing back after an up-and-down season last year and clearly looking fit and strong, up against Ivan Cleary and his Panthers who just keep winning regardless of the circumstances and player departures put in front of them.

No Nathan Cleary does make me nervous, but I reckon Penrith will sneak home.

Tip: Panthers by 2.

panther rumblings

AND BABY MAKES... FIVE!

! Exciting news for skipper: Penrith co-captain Isaah Yeo has announced he and his partner Ash are expecting their third child in August. The little brother or sister to Haven and Lennox will make the Yeos a family of five. And for those whose minds turned straight to football, the Panthers remain relatively close to home in August!

! Join me in the Chairman’s Lounge: The Weekender team has given me two tickets to give away to the Chairman’s Lounge for an upcoming Panthers game at BlueBet Stadium. You can join me (I will be there in disguise, however) for a beautiful meal, great drinks and a great view of the game. To win, you need to listen to the Weekender’s 10 Minute Match Day podcast either this week (v Roosters) or next week (v Sea Eagles). Hosts Troy Dodds and Nathan Taylor will give you a code word, which you then need to email to competitions@westernweekender.com.au with ‘Chairmans’ in the subject line. Entries close Saturday, April 6 and the winner will be notified by email. Remember, you must include the code word from the podcast in your email. To hear the podcast, search Western Weekender wherever you listen to podcasts or visit www.westernweekender. com.au/podcast.

! NRL’s big call on May: NRL Head of Football Graham Annesley believes Taylan May should have been charged for his hit on Reece Walsh last Thursday night. The incident has certainly divided the game, with May cleared by the Match Review Committee and not charged over what was essentially a head clash. But head office has a different view, believing May had a duty of care and should have been hit with a Dangerous Contact charge. “We think that it does reach that threshold of careless action at least,” Annesley said on Monday.

! Easter fun: The Panthers invited all players and their families to the Academy last weekend for an Easter Egg Hunt. Plenty of fun and laughs were had as the club continued its efforts to involve families in everything they do.

! May lets it slip: Proving that Taylan May lives by the beat of his own drum, he slipped the news about his contract extension last week to Channel Nine in an interview. Not even his team mates knew, while the club would obviously have preferred to announce it on its own terms. In the end, the Panthers put out a late Friday afternoon press release to confirm May would be staying until at least the end of the 2026 season.

! Spotted: Taylan May and Brian Fletcher catching up at the Panthers Academy after running into each other – just 48 hours before May signed a lucrative extension with the club.

! Radio show’s bizarre gaffe: There’s an old saying in radio – always treat a microphone as if it’s live. And that probably would have been good advice for Andrew Voss and Greg Alexander, who were accidentally put to air on SEN 1170 on Monday morning at around 5.25am. The pair were preparing for their show, which starts at 6am. Thankfully nothing too bad was said – though the language was a little colourful, especially when discussing the performance of the Newcastle Knights the previous evening.

! Tigers want our cash: Wests Tigers boss Shane Richardson had successful stints as CEO of the Panthers and Rabbitohs, and I assure you he knows how to play the game. There’s a strategy around him being so vocal about Leichhardt Oval and the Tigers’ future there, I’m just not exactly sure what it is. Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has even declared the State Government should reallocate some of the $309 million going to the Penrith Stadium redevelopment to Leichhardt. That won’t be happening. But of course the ground deserves an upgrade. I’m just not so sure Richardson actually wants it to happen.

! Foundation player passes away: Original Penrith Panthers player Ernie Gillon has sadly died. Born in 1942, Gillon started his rugby league career with Parramatta before switching to Penrith for their inaugural season in 1967. He would go on to play 62 games for the Panthers across four seasons. Officially credited as Panther #5, Gillon played centre for Penrith in their inaugural first grade match against Canterbury in 1967. The Panthers acknowledged Gillon’s passing at last Thursday night’s game against the Broncos. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

! Spotted: Brian To’o and Reece Walsh sharing a laugh after Penrith’s big win over Brisbane last Thursday night.

! Spotted: Yours truly went to the Easter Show last Saturday and for the first time in my many years of attending, I saw more Panthers jerseys in the crowd than any other sports team. It’s a great example of the incredible turnaround in Penrith’s fortunes over the past four or five years and how much support there is for Ivan Cleary and the boys.

In less than six months, Penrith Stadium as we know it will be no more.

The grass will be cut for the final time, the last line will be marked on the field, and the stadium lights will be flicked off once and for all.

It’ll also be the last time some players will call Penrith Stadium their home.

One of those is outgoing Panther Jarome Luai.

It’s no secret that the three-time premiership

winner considers Penrith Stadium his happy place.

The place he grew up.

The place he made a name for himself.

His home away from home.

Luai has scored some scintillating tries at the Mulgoa Road and Ransley Street venue – who can forget his double against the Warriors in just his second game of first grade back in 2018.

He’s also welcomed not one, not two, but three of his children onto the famous pitch to celebrate a memorable win, like last week’s triumph over the Brisbane Broncos.

“It’s my favourite place to play and I think I have a good record there when it comes to winning and losing games,” Luai told Extra Time

“It’s a place that I will always love and cherish and have fond memories

But long before Luai was pulling on an NRL jumper for the Panthers, he was running around Penrith Stadium as a teenager playing for his local club St Marys as well as Penrith’s star-studded

(or Romey’s Place) one final time as he embarks on the next chapter of his career at the Wests Tigers.

While Luai has been pushing ‘The Last Ride’ slogan all summer due to his own personal circumstances, he says it also relates to farewelling the stadium too.

“It’s a bit of a common theme… ‘The Last Ride’ is a theme in terms of the stadium and playing group, but it’s a bit of a personal one for myself as well,” he said.

When the 27-year-old does eventually return to his old stomping ground – most likely in the

2026 season – the stadium will have undergone a $300 million transformation and the emblem on his chest will be different type of cat.

“It’s probably a good thing to be honest, the timing – the stadium will look different and so will my jersey… maybe I won’t have that sort of connection to the new place but who knows, man,” Luai said.

“At this point in time, Penrith Stadium is a place that I love and a place where we want to make every game this year count.”

Journalist Nathan Taylor chats with Jarome Luai. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Jarome Luai has a passion for Penrith. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Jarome Luai with one of his children at Penrith Stadium. Photo: Megan Dunn.

NATHAN TAYLOR

ALL YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED: HOW

TROY DODDS

The Panthers will work alongside members and corporate partners in an unprec edented collaboration to manage the departure from BlueBet Stadium at the end of the year and the return to a new venue in 2026 or 2027.

While the old adage of ‘you can’t please everyone’ will play a part in the stadium redevelopment, the club is keen to minimise disruption for fans as much as possible and involve them in the process.

It comes as the Weekender understands the Panthers are close to locking in a deal with CommBank Stadium in Parramatta to host home games for the 2025 season.

Panthers CEO Matt Cameron confirmed that Populous has been appointed as the architect for the new stadium project.

“They did the original, very preliminary drawings of what it would look like – but they’re back on board,” he said.

“There’s a planning phase that they will go through to come up with a design brief that they will go to market with, and intend to engage with builders.

“Their intent is to begin in October. After we play our last game there will be a window and then in a perfect world, October they will be in and will be getting on with it.”

home of the Panthers, many fans and corporate partners remain nervous about the changes mean for them.

For many, the stadium has been in their lives for decades – a second home, with memories of good times, bad times and watching hundreds of players wear the Penrith colours on the hallowed turf. Families have grown up together and lifelong friendships formed.

Rather than dismiss this as the cost of progress, the Panthers are eager to embrace and understand it with member and corporate committees close to being finalised. The club has taken the extraordinary step of holding the member meetings fortnightly to ensure engagement is high while corporate partners will meet monthly.

One of the major issues brought up by fans is like for like seating – particularly for long-time season ticket holders in the grandstands.

“On day one we expressed our desire not to have a similar situation at CommBank where the western stand was all corporate,” Cameron said.

“The seating capacity in that western grandstand will exceed where it currently sits.

“It might look different but fundamentally if you’re on the 20 metre line and 20 metres from the fence, we’d like to think we’ll get you back there.”

Panthers Head of Commercial Jeremy Tuite said the club has had discussions with Cronulla, Parramatta as well as the Western Sydney Wanderers; who have all had to manage stadium re-builds.

“We spoke to all of those clubs and got all of the inside information from their perspective,” he said.

“The general sentiment from our members is they want to return to the closest possible seat as possible, or like for like, and we’re very aware of that.”

Tuite said the club understands many will not want to travel to Parramatta for home games next year.

“There will be a subset of our membership base and corporate partners who don’t want to travel to Parramatta,” he said.

“Our job is to find a solution.

“It’s addressing what we can do stadium wise but also here in Penrith so we can give our members and fans options.

“We don’t want to tell our members what the policy is for next year. We want them to have skin in the game, which is why we have the advisory committees.

“We’ll be leaning on the advisory committees to lean on the wider membership, to ensure it’s a very collaborative process.”

Members have also expressed their concern about food and drink prices and their potential

An artist’s impression of the new-look Penrith Stadium.

Panthers CEO Matt Cameron. Photo: Melinda Jane.

PANTHERS WILL MANAGE STADIUM PLAN

increases under a new stadium, which will be controlled by Venues NSW with Panthers as the anchor tenant.

“It will be different, clearly,” Cameron said.

“The flip side to that is the game day experience is going to be better than it is at Penrith now.”

Cameron is also hoping fans will have the opportunity to take a slice of the old stadium – such as their physical seat – with them before the bulldozers come in.

“It won’t be turn up with a 12m socket wrench and do your best –there’s some things we’ll need to work through,” he said.

“But we’re pretty confident we’ll be able to be in a position to offer fans that opportunity.”

The club is also aware of concerns from corporate partners, particularly local businesses, that they could be priced out of supporting the team when the new venue opens.

Cameron said he was hopeful that

with more corporate facilities inside the new stadium, price points could be found for all levels of sponsors.

The club is aiming for a 2026 return to Penrith, but construction is not a perfect science – meaning it could extend out to 2027.

And when the Panthers do return, Cameron is confident the venue

WATCH THE LAST RIDE VIDEO

will still have a Penrith look and feel about it.

“We’ll be the anchor tenant, which is a really important point to make,” he said.

“The wizardry that exists in modern stadiums these days allows us to transform it.”

The Panthers last week released an emotional video, ‘The Last Ride’, recognising the final season at the stadium ahead of its most significant transformation since 1967.

Penrith will play their final game at the venue either on Saturday, September 7 against the Titans or a week later in a Home Final.

Nathan Cleary kicks a goal under lights at the home of the Panthers earlier this year. Photo: NRL Photos.

It’s the debut Penrith fans have been eagerly anticipating for years – Mavrik Geyer, the son of Panthers legend Mark Geyer and the nephew of former premiership-winning captain Greg Alexander, was scheduled to make his NRL debut for his hometown club last night (Thursday, March 28).

The 23-year-old backrower wore jumper #17 during Penrith’s Round 4 blockbuster clash against the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium.

Extra Time understands a bus loaded with Geyer’s family and friends was booked to transport everyone to Moore Park for the momentous occasion.

Speaking with the media on Tuesday afternoon, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said he delivered the life changing news to Geyer over the weekend.

“It’s an exciting time for him and his family. He’s been very patient,” Cleary said.

“He’s really knuckled down over the last couple of years, he’s worked very hard for this, and I think he’s ready.”

Geyer has been on the cusp of a NRL debut since last year when he joined Penrith’s top 30 squad.

After a stunning pre-season, Cleary had no choice but to blood the youngster off the back of a recent knee injury to Scott Sorensen.

“Mav’s a very popular member of our squad, so all the boys are really pumped for him,” Cleary said.

“He’s a big lad, Mav. He’s physically developed nicely. He’s a bit of a late bloomer. He didn’t get serious about his footy until three years ago. He’s been playing well at Cup level and has been training really well too.

“This pre-season, he was outstanding. He’s ready now to take that next step.”

and I’m sure it’s the same for the Geyer family.”

Panthers forward Liam Martin couldn’t contain his excitement when Extra Time asked him about Geyer’s impending NRL debut.

“I’m so excited… everyone loves Mav,” he said.

“He’s just the best guy and seeing him get his opportunity, it’s going to be really exciting.

“He’s already asking everybody for tickets, and I think half of Penrith will be at Allianz Stadium.”

Extra Time understands Geyer’s famous father Mark and his uncle “Brandy” were there to present him with his debut jersey.

“Mav’s the perfect example of biding his time and working hard off the field,” Martin said.

“This pre-season has been his best by far and he’s probably the best trainer we’ve had over the summer. He’s worked hard and deserves every bit of it.”

Meanwhile, Cleary has confirmed his son Nathan will miss some time following a minor hamstring injury suffered in Penrith’s big win over Brisbane.

“Nat seems to have a sabbatical every year, so this one’s a bit earlier,” he said.

“I knew about it (the injury) as soon as it happened. It’s not too bad, so that’s the pleasing thing.

“It’s clearly a big day for those guys and for the fans,” Cleary said.

“Mav’s a second-generation player but a premiership player in MG and a club legend.

“It’s a hugely proud moment for any parent when their son or daughter makes their debut

The extended Geyer family are said to be over the moon with the news that the former St Dominic’s College student will finally get to don the famous Panthers jersey, just like his father and uncle.

“He might actually be able to play next week [vs Manly], but with a bye coming up the following week, we’ll just see how he goes and make an educated decision next week.”

Former Canberra Raiders and Hull KR half Brad Schneider will fill in for Cleary during his absence alongside Jarome Luai.

Son of Penrith legend Mark Geyer, Mavrik, was set to make his NRL debut this week.

scoreboard

Missed

Tries: I Tago 2, B To’o 2, S Turuva, M Kenny

Goals: N Cleary 5/6

Tries: D Mariner, J Arthars

Goals: K Staggs 1/2

Tries: T Toelau 2, T Peachey, D Fale, L Sommerton, D Laurie

Goals: P Alamoti 5/6

Tries: N Murphy 2, S Lane, J Sagaga, J Ruxton, L Blackburn, J Nohra

Goals: B Scott 3/7. B Scott FG.

Tries: H Hayes, B Biondi-Odo

Goals: B Biondi-Odo 1/2

Tries: J Underhill, E Mataale, J Sua

C Tia 3/3

WHY DYLAN SHOULD MOVE TO #6

lang on league analysis

with Peter Lang

Drum roll, please.

I think Dylan Edwards should play five-eighth for Penrith next year after the departure of Jarome Luai at the end of the season.

Yep, that’s right, I believe that one of the best fullbacks in the comp, who regularly comes in as the competition’s number one metreeater, is now at a stage in his career where he’s good enough to play alongside the mercurial Nathan Cleary in the halves.

I know the suggestion is a little left-field and I’ll be lucky if I find one person to agree with me, but let me explain how I came to this conclusion.

For a start Edwards’ ball playing skills have improved out of sight in the last four years. He now comes into the attacking line far more than he ever did before and he sets up tries for his teammates by regularly injecting himself into the Panthers’ attacking formations.

Yes, if you look at his try-assists they’re not sky high but it’s hard to notch up big numbers in that area when you play fullback and you’ve got playmakers like Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Jarome Luai in your side. There’s that plus it’s simply not your job in that position. Edwards has matured so much as a footballer and improved in so many areas of his game that I

honestly think he could handle the shift.

He’s also not the first fullback to ever make the successful transition to five-eighth either. Remember

Darren Lockyer, Preston Campbell, Matt Moylan even?

class, his speed and footwork are a pure joy to watch and he can return the ball back as good as anyone.

He’s also safe under the high ball and wouldn’t look out of place in first grade.

Iongi is good enough to play fullback in first grade and if it’s not at this club, it will be at another.

Not sure if the young man is ready?

OK then you can re-sign Daine Laurie for another season and give him the job. Laurie has played plenty of first grade at fullback, so you wouldn’t be taking any risks there.

I honestly don’t think it’s a case of weakening one position to strengthen another either.

Of course, the Panthers have other options at five-eighth, Brad Schneider, Jack Cole even Daine Laurie, all come to mind and all could do a superb job if given the opportunity.

The next obvious question would be, well who would you play at fullback?

The answer is simple, it’s the Panthers NSW Cup custodian sensation Isaiah Iongi. Iongi exudes

Now I know the switch doesn’t always work, you only have to look at the Knights’ Kayln Ponga to see that, but Edwards fits the bill in so many areas it would be worth a try.

However, apart from Laurie playing a handful of games in that position for the Tigers last year and Jack Cole playing one match in the World Club Challenge in February, there’s not a whole lot of first grade experience at five-eighth in that group either. Even Schneider is more of a halfback than five-eighth.

Dylan Edwards to five-eighth... you know… it may not be as silly as it sounds!

player of the year

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 game. The player with the most votes at the end of the season is crowned our Player of the Year.

Can Dylan Edwards make the switch to five-eighth?

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