Extra Time 13 March

FRI 13 MAR 2015 Issue 002 PROUDLY INDEPENDENT

INSIDE: OUR 2015 CELEBRITY TIPSTERS STEVE HART KEVIN KINGSTON MASKED PANTHER FULL NRL TABLE

DREAM DEBUT We catch up with rising Panthers and NRL star Reagan Campbell-Gillard

Panthers are Bathurst bound

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PANTHERS V TITANS

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Friday 13 March 2015 « the western weekender • extra time

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PENRITH PANTHERS 1

Matt Moylan

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

George Jennings Dean Whare Jamal Idris Dallin Watene-Zelezniak Jamie Soward Peter Wallace (c) Sam McKendry James Segeyaro Brent Kite Sika Manu Lewis Brown Elijah Taylor Tyrone Peachey Jeremy Latimore Reagan Campbell-Gillard Bryce Cartwright 18. I Yeo

GOLD COAST TITANS

FACT CHECK Ê Penrith have won 63.6% of their all-time matches against the Titans Ê Penrith’s winning percentage against the Titans is better than against any other club Ê This is the second year in a row Penrith have played in Bathurst Photo: Melinda Jane

1

William Zillman

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Kevin Gordon James Roberts Josh Hoffman David Mead Aidan Sezer Daniel Mortimer Luke Douglas Kierran Moseley Edward Pettybourne Ryan James Lachlan Burr Nate Myles (c) Agnatius Paasi Mark Loane Matt Robinson Matt Srama 18. R Simpkins

Panthers play for each other TROY DODDS @troydodds

I

n the moments before their match against the Bulldogs last Sunday, the Penrith squad gathered in a huddle on the Pepper Stadium turf.

It’s a common sight in world sport and who knows what was said, but it provided a glimpse into what this squad is all about – playing for each other.

Over the next 80 minutes, Penrith proved why they are one of the competition heavyweights this year – building their way to a 24-0 lead before showing the strength to deny a miracle Bulldogs comeback.

Truth be told, the Panthers of a few years ago would probably have let the Bulldogs cross the line one more time in those final few minutes.

Sure, there were standout performances last Sunday. George Jennings ran over 200 metres and scored on debut – the dream of any player coming into first grade. James

Segeyaro showed why he was the Hooker of the Year in 2014 by scoring a sensational try, making 31 tackles and running the ball himself nine times. And Elijah Taylor defended his heart out, making 45 tackles in the stifling heat (more than anyone else in the match).

Individual brilliance aside, it’s what this bunch of guys do as a team that matters most.

This is a team that clicks, where everybody knows their job, where nobody lets their teammate down.

After kicking off the season with a win against Canterbury, Penrith now hit the road for a ‘home’ game against the Gold Coast Titans in Bathurst on Saturday afternoon.

Last year’s trip to Bathurst, the first of a long-term deal with the regional town, was one to forget – the Panthers lost to the Sharks and saw Peter Wallace go down injured, never to be seen again in 2014.

This time around they face a side that is going through significant turmoil in the shape of the Titans, who showed great grit and determination against the Tigers

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Confusion still surrounds the short term futures of star players Dave Taylor and Greg Bird. Given both plead not guilty to drugs charges on Monday, you really do have to wonder if the NRL has a leg to stand on in terms of keeping them out of the game.

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary’s focus this week would have been on his own team

rather than the opposition. Focusing too much on the opposition, particularly when there’s a great deal of uncertainty surrounding them, is only going to cause you a migraine.

Cleary probably earned himself a few grey hairs in those final 15 minutes against the Bulldogs on Sunday, but in retrospect, he’ll be glad it happened. It would have brought the squad down to Earth and certainly given Cleary something to work on with his troops during the week.

Both Sika Manu and Brent Kite struggled when they came back on for their final stints and while the weather was probably partly to blame for the mini collapse, Cleary will need to ensure his middle is stronger for those final minutes, particularly if the game against the Titans is in the balance.

The only thing Penrith didn’t do right on Sunday was go in for the kill when their prey was on the ground, struggling for life.

I doubt they’ll make the same mistake if put in the same position again.

TIP: PANTHERS BY 10

the western weekender • extra time » Friday 13 March 2015

MATCH PREVIEW

Friday 13 March 2015 « the western weekender • extra time

40

PANTHER RUMBLINGS

SEND YOUR PANTHERS GOSSIP AT NEWS@WESTERNWEEKENDER.COM.AU

with the

Masked Panther

BLOOD CLOT ALMOST FLOORED BIG MCKENDRY

Sam McKendry overcame an injury-riddled pre-season to play for the Panthers last Sunday

» One of the untold injury stories over

the off-season was that of Sam McKendry. The big forward only had 20 minutes of contact work prior to last weekends’s game against Canterbury after developing a blood clot following ankle surgery.

It put him in severe doubt for the season opener, but he held his own against the Bulldogs.

» Panthers boss Phil Gould has revealed

the club asked the NRL not to schedule home games in daytime hours during March and April because of the intense heat – but the pleas went unanswered.

The game on Sunday was played in extremely hot conditions, which certainly affected the Bulldogs during the game and Penrith in the last 15 to 20 minutes.

“We’ve pleaded with the league for the last three years not to play games out here in western Sydney in daytime conditions in March and April because it’s very hot,” Gould told Triple M.

» Walking from the stadium back to

» It was great to hear Andrew Voss calling

» Talking of silver haired gentlemen,

» The Outside Broadcast vans at Pepper

Panthers Leagues Club last Sunday afternoon, several fans spotted a silver haired gentleman waiting for a lift on the side of Mulgoa Road. A second look, and it was obvious that the man was none other than Ray ‘Rabbits’ Warren.

Matthew Elliott made a return to Pepper Stadium last weekend – this time as part of the ABC Radio commentary team. Elliott certainly must have mixed feelings watching his former side emerge as such a huge success, but now appears to have found his home in the media.

» The TV ratings were great for last week-

end’s game between Penrith and Canterbury. The Channel Nine broadcast, into just two states, attracted 347,000 people.

259,000 watched the live broadcast in Sydney. The figures will boost significantly when daylight savings ends.

the football for Fox Sports last weekend.

Vossy is now a permanent member of the Fox Sports team and is heading to Bathurst this weekend to call the game between the Penrith Panthers and Gold Coast Titans.

Stadium are being moved away from the back of the western grandstand. The club plans to provide entertainment and the like in that precinct in the near future.

» Four female representative players

have been appointed as NRL Community Ambassadors, making them the first females to hold such roles. Ruan Sims, Renae Kunst, Karyn Murphy and Tallisha Harden will be the first females to join legends of the game including Anthony Minichiello and Nathan Hindmarsh in the NRL’s groundbreaking community program.

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Tears as dream comes true After making his first grade debut last week, Reagan CampbellGillard is determined to play with the Panthers for many years to come

and soccer until U17’s, and then I started playing league again with Windsor,” he revealed.

“It was definitely a dream to make first grade. I have three other cousins that play (Tariq, Ashton and Korbin Sims). I wanted to try and make it and be like them, make a name for myself.”

The Fijian international made his longawaited first grade debut during the first half of Penrith’s 24-18 win over the Canterbury Bulldogs.

“Watching the clock wind down, I could sense my time would come,” the prop forward recalled.

“As soon as my name was called my hands were sweating so much that I had to spray my hands with a lot of grip spray.

“My first tackle was on James Graham and my first hit up was against Aidan Tolman, although it was a real ‘girly’ hit just to get it out of the way.”

Campbell-Gillard is contracted to the Panthers until the end of the 2016 season and hopes to remain at the club for life.

“I definitely want to continue my career here, it’s probably the only club I want to be at,” he said.

“The whole staff and playing group are great and the crowd is the best. It’s the club I want to be at.”

NATHAN TAYLOR natetaylor87

T

he first person Reagan CampbellGillard told that he was debuting in the opening round of the 2015 NRL season was his mum.

They both cried.

After years of battling away in the lower grades, picking up a few titles along the way (2013 Holden Cup and 2014 NSW Cup), a lifelong dream was finally realised for the 21-year-old.

“I was nervous, overwhelmed… getting the call up was amazing. I’m still nervous thinking about it, I’m getting sweaty palms,” Campbell-Gillard told Extra Time.

“When I got the opportunity to play I was overwhelmed. I even shed a little tear with mum when I told her. It was just very exciting because I wanted to make her proud, make myself proud and my family.”

Campbell-Gillard heard of his selection in the first grade side a week before Penrith’s Round 1 side was officially released last Tuesday. He said he was hesitant to tell too many people.

“I didn’t want to tell anyone in case something happened and I wasn’t picked, I’d look like an idiot,” he laughed.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard “But when everyone found out it was very exciting. I was getting messages and phone calls left, right and centre – that was making me even more nervous.”

Like most rugby league players, making the NRL is a lifelong dream. It was that for Campbell-Gillard too. However, his path took a slightly different course during his teenage years.

“I played juniors for five years until U10’s, stopped and started playing hockey

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday 13 March 2015

FEATURE STORY

Friday 13 March 2015 « the western weekender • extra time

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KEV’S KORNER

WITH KEVIN KINGSTON

O OUR JUNIOR SYSTEM IS TO BE ADMIRED

ver the last couple of years, there’s been a spotlight cast on the number of local juniors coming up through the ranks at the Panthers.

Last year we saw Dallin WateneZelezniak make his NRL debut, and last weekend it was George Jennings and Reagan Campbell-Gillard who stepped out in the first grade jersey for the first time.

The production line of talent in Sydney’s west is impressive and a lot of hard work goes into developing the next generation of superstars.

From our junior league clubs and school rep teams, through to the Under 20’s, there is a huge team of people working behind the scenes in various roles, making sure these players develop the skills on and off the field, to be the best rugby league player they can be.

On more than one occasion I’ve heard Gus Gould say that it’s our responsibility to develop our juniors, rather than recruit out of the area.

We have a huge pool of talented kids in our junior rugby league competitions.

Why look elsewhere, when the next Matt Moylan or Peter Wallace could be right in front of you?

For a long time the Panthers have been strong in the Harold Mathews and SG Ball competitions, and our current NRL, NSW Cup and Holden Cup teams are playing well too.

Kids everywhere are dying for their chance to pull on that black jersey.

Players from other clubs want to play for the Panthers.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is a local junior who made his debut last year Parents want to send their kids to our development programs and managers want to send their top prospects to the club.

Why? Because they have seen our development system in action, and they know it works.

If a young player from Sydney’s west has the drive, the ambition, the skills and the right attitude, the Panthers can take him all the way.

Do you have a topic you’d like Kevin Kingston to tackle? Email news@westernweekender.com.au.

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Something special is coming He left the high flying Manly Sea Eagles for a new chapter at Penrith, and Dean Whare has no regrets at all

NATHAN TAYLOR natetaylor87

D

ean Whare remembers signing with the Panthers right at the beginning of Phil Gould’s famous five-year plan.

He would never admit publicly that he regretted leaving Manly during the height of their dominance but, looking back, he’s certainly glad he took the gamble.

“It was definitely hard to leave a great club like Manly but as soon as I signed I knew I made the right decision,” the 25-year-old told Extra Time.

“Even during that first year when we didn’t make the top eight, I knew we were going places and it’s paid off pretty well.”

Since Whare arrived at the club in 2013, the Panthers have improved out of sight and are now one of the powerhouse clubs of the NRL. Whare’s game, too, has also improved exponentially over the years.

After initially starting his first few games with the Panthers at fullback, Whare has grown to become one of the game’s leading centres both in the NRL and on an international level.

Dean Whare in action

‘

“Since I’ve been here I haven’t missed a test for New Zealand, which I can probably credit to this team and myself preparing well,” Whare said.

“My goal this year is the same every year and that’s to play consistent each week; I try not to play a bad game and back it up with another bad game.”

One thing that Whare is finding refreshing about the Panthers of 2015 is the fact that there’s no longer negativity surrounding the club in the media.

No longer are the Panthers easybeats or wooden spoon favourites – they are finally a team to be reckoned with.

“It’s certainly a lot different from when I first came to the club in 2013 when people tipped us to come last,” he said.

“There was definitely no expectations that year, we just played footy and we just missed out on the top eight.”

Whare certainly doesn’t hold any grudges against those who bagged the Panthers, in fact he thanks them.

“I think those people that put us down helped us to get to where we are now,” he said.

“Not many people backed Gus’ five-year plan but it’s all worked out pretty well so far and I think we’re on the brink of something pretty amazing.”

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday 13 March 2015

FEATURE STORY

Friday 13 March 2015 « the western weekender • extra time

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Penrith led the Bulldogs 24-0 early in the second half and then survived a late scare to come away with a win at Pepper Stadium.

The game was played in front of almost 19,000 fans.

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday 13 March 2015

HART TO HART

WITH STEVE HART

P

BATHURST PAIN LINGERS FOR WALLACE

enrith captain Peter Wallace loves playing footy, he loves captaining the Panthers but no offence to the good people of Bathurst, he is not that keen to visit you this weekend.

Wallace will make a reluctant return to Carrington Park to lead the Panthers out against the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday afternoon.

Why reluctant?

Well all week he’s been having flashbacks to July last year when his season cruelly came to an end after rupturing the ACL joint in his right knee during his team’s loss to the Sharks.

It was heartbreaking at the time and made even harder as he was forced to watch his teammates enjoy a great ride for the rest of the season, going deep into the semi final series.

If he could he’d rather not be going back to the ground so soon that gives him recurring nightmares.

“Yeah I don’t have the fondest memories but it’s a new year and I’ve just got to push that aside,” Wallace said.

Naturally the chances of lightning striking twice at the same place are very remote but the Panthers skipper is a little superstitious and even talking about it makes him more than a little uncomfortable.

“I don’t want to jinx myself but everyone does injuries and has to go back to the place where they did it, so I’ll just have to deal with it, I should be right,” he said with a nervous half grin.

Wallace is a calm leader for the completely rejuvenated Panthers and he

INSIDE STORY

Peter Wallace will return to Bathurst this weekend dal that threatened to decimate the club, and a heartbreaking one point loss to the Wests Tigers in Round 1.

Wallace will of course be doing all he can to help lead his side to a victory but you get the feeling he’ll be just as happy to leave Bathurst fully fit.

See you next week!

certainly deserves some good luck.

Surely he has nothing to worry about and Carrington Park in Bathurst can quickly redeem itself and become a field of dreams instead of nightmares?

Penrith will face a Gold Coast side who’ve had their own share of troubles lately losing five players to a cocaine scan-

WITH JUSTIN PASCOE CEO, PENRITH DISTRICT RUGBY LEAGUE

WHY MEMBERSHIP IS SO IMPORTANT organisation of which the 16 clubs receive a NRL grant of circa $7 million. The balance is generated through Game Day, sponsorship and corporate partnerships as well as merchandise and membership revenues.

The simple reality is that as our membership continues to grow, the increased revenue allows the Panthers to close the gap in terms of investments into resources that some other clubs enjoy.

As an organisation we will continue to invest in the football department, which entails coaching personnel, strength and conditioning, sports science and medical, stadia and facilities all aimed at ensuring our players have all the support and resources to give them the best opportunity to be competitive year in, year out.

With membership options starting at $30, whether you can get to a game or not, ask yourself the question, what value do you as a Panthers fan get out of the Panthers taking the field each week and is $30 within your budget to help make sure they continue to do so?

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question I often get asked is, how valuable is a football membership? Most fans would value membership by the position of their seat, the inclusions of the pack or the discounts and benefits that come as entitlements with the membership option they choose. These are all very important and make up a large portion of the decision making process when choosing to become a Panthers football member.

Then there is the intrinsic value. That is the game day experience, the players looking into the crowd as they run on to the field, seeing the grandstands full of Panthers fans and colours. What this contributes to regarding the on-field performance cannot be underestimated.

The players ride on the atmosphere and as a member sits on the edge of their seat, the players live every cheer as it is delivered.

As we always say, every member is the 18th man, they should have a sense of belonging and inclusion in the overall journey that this organisation is on.

The other perspective is the value to the club. It costs anywhere from $20 million to $35 million to run a professional NRL

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PTS

ROUND 2 Bulldogs v Eels Friday, March 13, 7.30pm ANZ Stadium Sharks v Broncos Friday, March 13, 8.30pm Remondis Stadium Panthers v Titans Saturday, March 14, 4.30pm Carrington Park Sea Eagles v Storm Saturday, March 14, 7.00pm Brookvale Oval Cowboys v Knights Saturday, March 14, 9.00pm 1300 Smiles Stadium

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FAN OF THE WEEK Years supporting the Panthers: 30 years.

Favourite current Panther and favourite ex-Panther: Josh Mansour and Mark Geyer.

Why do you support the Panthers?

I grew up in the district and idolised MG, Brandy and Freddy.

What’s your best Panthers memory? Easily the 1991 premiership, the town was electric and it put us on the map.

What’s your prized piece of Panthers memorabilia that you’d never sell? A Mark Geyer signed jersey.

If the Panthers won the 2015 Grand Final, how would you react? I would take the week off work and party hard! Maybe even shed a tear.

Would you ever get a Panthers tattoo and where would you get it?

Yes, I would get the logo on my arm.

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Friday 13 March 2015 « the western weekender • extra time

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Ends 23/03/15. Harvey Norman® stores are operated by independent franchisees. Mattress, bed linen and accessories shown are not included.

BY NATHAN TAYLOR

@natetaylor87

NSW CUP

BY STEW MOSES

@TheRiffMarn

PANTHERS HEAD TO BATHURST IN POSITIVE FRAME OF MIND AFTER OPENING ROUND WIN

TITLE DEFENCE OFF TO A GREAT START, BUT BEARS POSE A SURPRISING THREAT THIS SATURDAY

The Penrith Panthers have got their Holden Cup season off to the best start possible with a convincing 30-12 win over the Canterbury Bulldogs last Sunday afternoon at Pepper Stadium.

In front of a stunning crowd in soaring temperatures, the Panthers got the ball rolling in the 12th minute after hooker Sione Katoa threw a brilliant cut out pass to halfback Soni Luke, who shifted it to backrower Fairouz Elkander to open the scoring.

Moments later, Panthers fullback Tyrone May put on a great individual display to put the home side up 12-0.

Not long after, Penrith lock Dylan Fuad burst through the line at close range to extend the lead to 18-0.

With five minutes to go before the break, the Panthers were hungry for more and this time it was centre Brent Naden who went over after slipping through a hole 20 metres out and scoring an absolute beauty.

With the Panthers up 24-0 at the break, it was the Bulldogs who came out of the sheds firing in the second half.

Penrith’s defence could only withstand so much and, in the 50th minute, the visitors finally got their just reward with a nice try to Josh Bergamin.

Penrith kicked off their title defence with a hard earned 26-20 victory over a fastfinishing Canterbury team that refused to give in at Pepper Stadium. The standout performer for the Panthers was without doubt Ben Murdoch-Masila whose late shift to the back row allowed the wrecking ball to terrorise the Bulldogs’ left edge defence in tandem with Waqa Blake, resulting in a try and setting up two others.

The first half saw the lead shared between the two sides before a try to Will Smith on the stroke of half time in addition to earlier tries scored by Kieran Moss and former Souths rake Api Koroisau gave Penrith a slender 14-12 lead. Tries to Isaac John and Murdoch-Masila straight after play resumed saw Penrith open up its largest lead of the game at 26-12.

To their credit, Canterbury hit back scoring two tries to set up a barnstorming finish which saw the Bulldogs break the line and threaten the Panthers’ tryline on numerous occasions, only to be denied by desperate Penrith defence to earn the two valuable competition points.

This weekend sees Penrith travel to Carrington Park in Bathurst to take on Round 1 surprise packets, North Sydney Bears, with kick-off at 2.10pm.

The Bears endured a horror 2014 season

Penrith in action last weekend With the Panthers enjoying their usual cat nap, it was time for the Dogs to strike again and they did just that through winger Joseph Burchell, who inched the scores closer 24-12.

But the Panthers weren’t done with just yet after interchange player Maliko Filino ran right through the tired Bulldogs defence to score under the posts.

Penrith’s emphatic 18-point win leaves them in sixth position after Round 1.

They’ll play the Gold Coast Titans, who also won their opening round clash against the Wests Tigers, in Bathurst this Saturday morning.

finishing with the wooden spoon, yet, despite this, caused the upset of the round last week, defeating 2014 heavyweights Wentworthville away from home.

Penrith have lost both Kieran Moss and Api Koroisau through injury.

Eddie Aiono replaces Moss which sees Robert Jennings move into the centres and shifts Will Smith back to fullback.

Liam Ayoub comes in as hooker, while Sam Anderson switches with Andy Saunders to start the game.

Adam Docker has again been named to play in the NSW Cup side as he continues recovery from off-season surgery.

The team is as follows: W Smith, Crichton, R Jennings, Blake, Aiono, John, Davis, Anderson, Ayoub, Latu, Sopoaga, Murdoch-Masila, Adam Docker. Bench: Saunders, Coates, FisherHarris, Akeripa, C Smith (one to be omitted).

The North Sydney Bears will be anything but pushovers this weekend, having also named an exciting side including Stefano Taukafa, Aaron Gray, Scott Sorensen and Nathan Brown.

In 2014, the Panthers won both games between the two clubs and the home side will be looking to continue that trend this Saturday and remain undefeated.

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Friday 13 March 2015 « the western weekender • extra time

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THE DEALS ON THE BUS GO ROUND AND ROUND

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