FRI 18 APR 2014 • Issue 007
PROUDLY INDEPENDENT
Printed on 100% recycled paper
INSIDE Go back in time with our weekly Panthers flashback + LUKE PRIDDIS + ERIN MOLAN + JUNIOR FOOTY + LOWER GRADES
Titanic Struggle
Can Penrith stop the Gold Coast juggernaut? p.3
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PENRITH PANTHERS
PREVIEW
Matt Moylan Dallin Watene-Zelezniak Dean Whare Jamal Idris Josh Mansour Jamie Soward Peter Wallace (c) Sam McKendry Kevin Kingston (c) Brent Kite Sika Manu Elijah Taylor Adam Docker James Segeyaro Jeremy Latimore Tyrone Peachey Tim Grant
GOLD COAST TITANS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
David Mead Kevin Gordon Maurice Blair Brad Takairangi Anthony Don Aidan Sezer Albert Kelly Luke Douglas Beau Falloon Nate Myles (c) Greg Bird (c) David Taylor Ashley Harrison Matthew White Ryan James Mark Minichiello Paul Carter
3
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Kevin Kingston passes the ball to Adam Docker in horrible conditions last Friday night. Photo: Melinda Jane
Panthers must take control TROY DODDS
@troydodds
Penrith Panthers v Gold Coast Titans Kick off: Mon 21/4 • 7.00pm Sportingbet Stadium Refs: Gavin Morris and Gavin Reynolds TV: Fox Sports Live 7.00pm Radio: Triple M Live 7.00pm
For Panthers coach Ivan Cleary, managing the drop in confidence that most likely occurred after the side lost its biggest test of the season so far would have surely been a big part of the week. Penrith were talked up big time last Friday and to not score even one try would have shattered the side’s confidence. Whether it was shattered for just a day or two, or still lingers around, will be a big element of the side’s performance on Monday night. Panthers co-captain Kevin Kingston believes this Monday’s opposition are doing all the right things at the business end of games. “Their core players are playing really well and they are winning tight games which is what you want to do,” he said. Being switched on for the entire 80 minutes will certainly need to be a focus for the Panthers against a Gold Coast side that has got the little things right this season. The Panthers got kick happy against the Rabbitohs but the side appears to be better served when Peter Wallace takes full and proper control rather than attempting freakish mid-set miracles. How Wallace handles livewire opponent
Albert Kelly on Monday night will be interesting – he certainly has the ability to break the line and without doubt has the pace to get rid of most of Penrith’s backline in a foot race. Containing the little number seven and limiting his time in open space will be vital. At the end of what has been a run of three straight matches at home, the Panthers need to win to walk away from the trio of games with a respectable two from three. I’m one who believes the Gold Coast will falter eventually – they just don’t have the squad to maintain their position on top of the table as the season progresses. It is certainly possible that their fall could start against the Panthers on Monday night if the home side is committed in defence and a little calmer in attack. Great playmakers don’t necessarily create opportunities, they wait for the right ones to unfold in front of them. If Wallace and Jamie Soward do that on Monday night, enough chances will arise to get the points on the board. In good news for the Panthers, an early guilty plea means Soward has escaped suspension on a high tackle charge. Tip: Panthers by 6
Friday 18 April 2014 the western weekender
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or the second week in a row torrential rain caused havoc at Sportingbet Stadium, but this time around the result was not so good. After beating Canberra 12-6 in the rain, the Panthers struggled to back it up in another slog-fest, going down to the Rabbitohs 18-2 last Friday night. Souths simply handled the conditions better and after neither side took their chances in the first half, the Rabbitohs turned things around much better than Penrith in the second, scoring three tries
to nil and producing a defensive effort that very much deserves to be praised. Penrith must put that performance behind them as they head into Easter Monday’s clash against the top of the table Gold Coast Titans. The Titans find themselves as the unlikely leaders of the NRL and in their last two matches have somehow found a way to win – last week it was a freakish final try against the Broncos, the week before a controversial penalty against the Storm. Both Brisbane and Melbourne had every right to win those matches but the Titans found something when it mattered. Both the Titans and Panthers played last Friday night so find themselves enjoying a 10-day lead-in to this encounter, and how both coaches manage that break may play a part in how this match unfolds. For Titans coach John Cartwright, the mental side of the preparation for this game is surely about convincing his players that they deserve to be on top of the ladder. It’s about convincing them that they have what it takes to come to Penrith Stadium on a lonely Monday night at the end of a long weekend and topple the Panthers.
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FEATURE STORY
Taylor praises Rabbitohs P NATHAN TAYLOR
@natetaylor87
South Sydney’s impressive defensive display last Friday night has earned praise from all corners of the league world, including Panthers star forward Elijah Taylor
enrith Panthers second-rower Elijah Taylor was taken by surprise upon learning South Sydney hadn’t registered a single missed tackle in their huge win over his side last Friday until midway through the second half. Taylor, who recorded 41 tackles himself during the match, was surprised the Rabbitohs only recorded eight missed tackles the entire game, let alone zero after 60-odd minutes. “It was definitely a tough, tight game and they impressed me so much with their defence,” Taylor told Extra Time. “We tried to put them under so much pressure in the first half but they kept on turning us away.” Taylor admitted the battle of the forwards last Friday night was the toughest he had encountered in Penrith’s opening six games this year. “It was a very physical match, probably the most physical I’ve had this year,” he said. “I thought we showed a lot of character because defensively we stood up to a massive pack. If you look at our pack, we’re not full of big boppers but we’re very fit. We came up against a top four team and their defence showed that.”
South Sydney’s strong defence has been praised after last week’s win over Penrith The Kiwi international and former Warrior believed if Penrith were to make a push for finals footy this season they’ll need to beat teams like the Rabbitohs. “South Sydney are one of the benchmarks and if we want to go somewhere in this competition we’ve got to be able to beat teams like that,” he said. This Easter Monday night the Panthers
will look to get that trend rolling when they meet the form team of the competition, the first placed Gold Coast Titans. “The Titans have an international forward pack made up of current and former rep players. It’ll be another challenge for us in the middle to slow their ruck speed down to give us an opportunity,” Taylor said.
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FEATURE STORY
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NATHAN TAYLOR
@natetaylor87
2014 may be the last season we see Josh Mansour in Panthers colours with the popular winger’s future at the club still up in the air
owerful Panthers winger Josh Mansour has revealed he hasn’t spoken to his manager in weeks as demands by the club’s supporterbase intensify to lock up the 23-year-old long-term. Despite being sidelined for a number of weeks early in the season with a hamstring injury, Mansour has been one of Penrith’s standouts of the season so far. According to Mansour, the club are yet to make him an offer to extend his stay and his future at Penrith is very much up in the air. “Like I’ve said before I do want to stay here, it’s the club I made my debut at and I’ve made lots of good friends here but I just have to worry about playing good footy and my contract will take care of itself,” Mansour told Extra Time. “Surprisingly I haven’t worried about it too much. I’ll be honest with you, I haven’t seen my manager in a while, so I can’t really say what is going to happen.” Panthers coach Ivan Cleary also didn’t seem too confident when asked about Mansour’s future at the club. “Josh has started the year well and adds a lot to our team. The salary cap and recruitment is a big issue we are constantly working on,” he said.
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Mansour’s future unclear P
Josh Mansour. Photo: Melinda Jane “We’re always trying to make sure we get the best players that we can and all those details on lengths of contracts and how much is not an easy solution but something we are working on all the time.” Mansour’s ability to make a monster amount of metres with every hit up has made him a favourite not only amongst Panthers supporters but rugby league fans
in general via NRL Supercoach, of course. Mansour said during his recent stint on the sidelines he was bugged on Twitter by Supercoach players about his impending return. “I was getting stuff on Twitter but I had to ignore it,” he said. “The coaches aren’t big fans of Supercoach and nor am I.”
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Time to give the bolters a go in Origin T
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MOMENT WITH MOLAN ERIN MOLAN
@Erin_Molan
The Footy Show’s Erin Molan says experience combined with fresh faces could help the Blues win the State of Origin series this year
he recent injury to Tigers hooker Robbie Farah has brought up the State of Origin debate already, and now everyone is talking about positions and some people are even writing NSW off again. Too soon? I think so. Yes, we haven’t won an Origin series since 2005 but if you look at how this year’s NRL season is panning out with the way the Tigers, Eels and Panthers are all playing, it tell us that teams can turn things around virtually in less than a season. I think while we are all frustrated with footy tipping and how results so far are so out of whack it’s ridiculous, it’s also a very good sign for NSW. Blues coach Laurie Daley shouldn’t have to beg fans to keep the faith because as fans we should have that anyway. While it would be very difficult for the Blues to win this year’s series in a whitewash, it’s certainly very possible. Back to Farah and if he isn’t available for NSW selection through injury, I believe attention should turn to Parramatta hooker Nathan Peats who I’m a really big fan of. While Chris Sandow and Jarryd Hayne have been magnificent for Parramatta, Peats has also been a huge part of what
Jarryd Hayne is set to be NSW fullback Parramatta’s been able to achieve so far this year. He’s got the kind of attitude that would get up in Queensland’s face and would perform very well at that level. In saying that, if Farah is even a slight chance to play in game one, even if he doesn’t play a single game until that first
Origin on May 28, he should be given the chance to do so. I strongly believe Farah is in career-best form and he’s smart and experienced enough to walk straight into the side – there’s no debate about it. I also believe Laurie Daley needs to pick his squad based on recent form. While I’m a firm believer in showing faith in players, I am so to a degree. I think NSW need to seriously look at bolters and players that are playing well now. You can only show faith for so long before you need to pick on form and Daley needs to look at who’s playing the best football for NSW and pick them. Along with Peats, there’s a few other players I’d like to see earn a shot. I’d love to see Tim Grant get another chance. I know he hasn’t had a lot of game time this season but if he can put in a couple of solid performances, he should be there. Tigers prop Aaron Woods also needs to be there as he’s been fantastic for them this year, and I’d even love to see Parramatta’s Fijian flyer Semi Radradra get a crack but unfortunately he’s not available due to eligibility reasons. Don’t miss ‘The Footy Show’ over the coming weeks as we continue to discuss and debate the series.
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Panthers still have a long way to go I
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PRIDDO'S POINT LUKE PRIDDIS
2003 Grand Final hero Luke Priddis says the Panthers must improve their attack if they’re going to be a competitor this season
mentioned that last week’s game against Souths would provide an indication of where the Panthers were at. It showed there is a fair amount of improvement especially in attack required if they are going to be serious contenders this year. Despite the conditions the amount of possession they had in the first half for no result was worrying given the Rabbits were able to pounce on the opportunities they had with the ball in the second half. Before the season kicked off this week’s game against the Titans would have been pencilled in as an expected win especially at home but it is now another defining game against the competition leaders. The Gold Coast have started the season in great fashion playing well as a side over the park deserving to be on top of the ladder. Neil Henry as assistant coach is obviously providing some influence with a stark difference to past season performances evident. The Panthers are going to have to provide a lot more in attack to topple a side that is playing with a lot of belief and confidence in their game. What would be great is to have a strong showing of Panther fans turning up on Monday night to show some strong support. Normally Monday would not be
The Panthers in action against Souths last Friday night. Photo: Melinda Jane the best time for a crowd but given it is a public holiday and school holidays there should be no excuses. Given 16,000 Wests Tigers fans stood in the mud and pouring rain at what is the poorest ground for facilities in the NRL surely its time for Panthers fans to come out in big numbers and make a statement of support for the boys. It was interesting to hear the remarks from Jamie Soward in the media regarding ‘The Footy Show’. While most including
team mates such as Jamal Idris have admitted to having a bit of a laugh as to what the segment is meant to illicit, Beau Ryan has strong ties to several former team members at the Dragons so given the history there I can certainly understand Jamie’s reaction. To his credit Ryan has come out and said that he will shelve Sowie TV but maybe he may want to give his next target a bit of a heads up just as a professional courtesy.
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Logo confusion runs deep
with the Masked Panther
Send your Panthers gossip at news@westernweekender.com.au
The actual new logo is pictured below and how good does it look suspended above the western grandstand? What a fantastic initiative by club management. There’s no doubt now that this is the home of the Panthers!
The new Panthers sign above the western grandstand at Penrith Stadium
The Penrith Panthers have made a statement regarding an incident involving a Penrith fan and South Sydney player Sam Burgess after last Friday night’s game at Sportingbet Stadium. “Panthers officials confirm the club was made aware of the allegations last night and will be investigating the matter,” said the statement, which was released last Saturday. “The club can also confirm a female spectator has contacted the club regarding the incident and has agreed to cooperate fully with the investigation. The Panthers will not be making any further comment until the matter is resolved.” The incident involves allegations that the female fan struck Burgess with a flag. With torrential rain impacting Penrith Stadium two weeks in a row, the club needs to make a firm decision on what it does with fans from uncovered areas desperately trying to make their way into the upper grandstands for some cover. For the last two weeks, fans from the terrace and hill areas have been allowed into the grandstands when the weather turned foul. Last Friday night, long-term members in the western grandstand were subjected to poor behaviour and language from a number of fans who had made their way up to the reserved area when the rain hit. My view is that members in the upper grandstands pay more for a variety of reasons, including the guarantee of being undercover. As tough as it may sound, my stance is that the club should not be allowing anyone into these areas who hasn’t paid to be there – rain or not. The whole Jamie Soward v Beau Ryan situation really has got out of control. So much so that on Monday, I’m told that Panthers media manager Emma Duxbury and Channel Nine journalist Danny Weidler had words over the ongoing reporting of the story. Weidler ran the original story that Soward wasn’t happy over Ryan’s impersonations of him on ‘The Footy Show’, which sparked a week’s worth of unnecessary media coverage. Ryan has now agreed to stop the impersonations, which were bordering on bullying.
NATHAN TAYLOR
9 @natetaylor87
It was a great weekend all-round for Penrith’s two lower grade sides with both coming away with well-earned victories. Penrith’s Holden Cup team got the ball rolling last Friday evening when they went head-to-head with the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Sportingbet Stadium. Last year this clash would’ve been
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PANTHER RUMBLINGS
It’s the logo that never was, yet somehow is. Some internal confusion at Panthers at the back end of last year, followed by wider confusion at the NRL and within the media, means that the incorrect Panthers logo is on a variety of products and merchandise released for this year. The incorrect logo has vastly different text to the actual new logo, which you’ll see on jerseys, on TV and at the stadium itself. The latest place you’ll find the incorrect logo being used is at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, which this year boasts a Panthers showbag. The incorrect logo is used on the bag itself, and on all the goodies inside. Just think, one day this could all be a collector’s item given the logo has never officially been in use.
Lower GRADES
Will Smith. Photo: Melinda Jane earmarked as one of the blockbusters of the round but with both sides in somewhat of a rebuilding phase this season, the game had a very different vibe – one that suited Penrith. The Panthers were on fire from the get-go scoring four unanswered tries in the opening half to lead at the break 22-0. The second half was a much closer affair with the Bunnies making it somewhat interesting with a couple of tries. However, in the end, it was all Penrith who on the back of doubles to Bryce Cartwright and Brendan Attwood, came away with a 26-10 victory. Meanwhile, Penrith’s NSW Cup team have well and truly found their groove, recording their fourth straight win, beating the Wests Tigers last Saturday afternoon 22-14. The game was very scrappy from both sides but the Panthers had the slightest of edges with Kevin Naiqama and Tyrone Peachey pressing their claims for an NRL recall throughout the match. Half Isaac John and centre Will Smith also had good games for Penrith.
Friday 18 April 2014 the western weekender
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NRL LADDER PD
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L
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A
1 Titans
6
5
0
1
0
107 112
2 Bulldogs
6
4
0
2
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3 W. Tigers
6
4
0
2
4 Sea Eagles
6
4
0
5 Eels
6
4
6 Storm
6
7 Rabbitohs
+/- Pts 10
ROUND 7
140 80 +60
8
Rabbitohs v Bulldogs
0
159 136 +23
8
Friday 4.00pm ANZ Stadium
2
0
108 91 +17
8
0
2
0
129 140 -11
8
4
0
2
0
135 151 -16
8
6
3
0
3
0
118 85 +33
6
Sea Eagles v Cowboys
8 Broncos
6
3
0
3
0
122 111 +11
6
9 Dragons
6
3
0
3
0
139 138 +1
6
Friday 7.40pm Central Coast Stadium
10 Panthers
6
3
0
3
0
95
6
Dragons v Warriors
11 Roosters
6
2
0
4
0
114 89 +25
4
Saturday 5.30pm WIN Jubilee Oval
12 Cowboys
6
2
0
4
0
100 89 +11
4
13 Knights
6
2
0
4
0
106 124 -18
4
14 Raiders
6
2
0
4
0
108 128 -20
4
Saturday 7.30pm Remondis Stadium
15 Warriors
6
2
0
4
0
116 159 -43
4
Raiders v Storm
16 Sharks
6
1
0
5
0
69 134 -65
2
Sunday 3.00pm GIO Stadium
98
-5
-3
Knights v Broncos
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Club
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Friday 7.40pm Hunter Stadium
Sharks v Roosters
Eels v Tigers
Extra Time Issue Number 007
Monday 4.00pm ANZ Stadium
PRINTED BY Spotpress Pty Ltd / PRODUCED BY The Western Weekender EDITOR Troy Dodds / 4722 2998 / troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au
Panthers v Titans
CONTRIBUTORS Nathan Taylor / Luke Priddis / Yvonne Purtell / Erin Molan
Sam McKendry He’s big, he’s tough, he’s Sam McKendry and he’s one of Penrith’s best
Monday 7.00pm Sportingbet Stadium
SALES MANAGER Simon Gould / 4722 2998 simon.gould@westernweekender.com.au
Best moment in the NRL: Making my first grade debut Worst moment in the NRL: Getting injured isn’t great! Favourite team growing up: Warriors Closest teammate: Tim Grant Sporting idol: Ray ‘Rabs’ Warren Favourite TV show: ‘Pawn Stars’ Favourite guilty pleasure: Chocolate Ultimate holiday destination: Hawaii
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Friday 18 April 2014 the western weekender
PENRITH
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A torn contract, Rep finals a broken club set to begin YVONNE PURTELL
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PANTHERS FLASHBACK
JUNIORS @penrith_juniors
The competition rounds of rep football are over and our Harold Matthews came in 3rd and SG Ball 2nd. This Saturday they play in the qualifying finals at Leichhardt Oval. Harold Matthews takes on Balmain at 11.30am and SG Ball takes on Sydney Roosters at 3pm. I would also like to congratulate the efforts of the Western Sydney Academy of Sport Harold Matthews and SG Ball squads who had a great season. Whilst they just missed out on the finals, each finishing on eight points when teams on 10 points made the finals, they had some great wins and solid performances during the season. Well done to all the boys and staff. Junior League kicks off next weekend! Registrations are going well, team gradings have been finalised and the competitions are up on the website. For some background, we register over 8000 players, 3000 officials and have to grade over 520 teams. Once all teams have been graded then we need to add all competitions and teams to the database. Wet weather has dampened the trial process for our clubs but I am sure you will all be ready to kick off next weekend. I would like to thank all the clubs together with the staff in the junior league office for the tireless work that they all do to ensure that the kids are ready to play at the start of the season. The City Origin team are heading to Penrith and will be hosting a clinic for players from our Under 11s who registered for the clinic. This will be held at Sportingbet Stadium on Monday, April 28. What a great experience for these young players. Our U15 Development squad head off to Nyngan on Friday for the Annual Nyngan Easter Challenge. Good luck boys in the Challenge.
FROM THE VAULT
Friday 18 April 2014 the western weekender
From the vault this week comes the 1987 Panthers calendar! Declaring it would be the “Year of the Panthers” (unfortunately, an incorrect statement), the calendar featured great shots of Panthers players of the period. Club legends like Royce Simmons, Greg Alexander and Brad Izzard are all featured in the calendar. What a fantastic piece of Penrith Panthers merchandise from the past!
TROY DODDS
@troydodds
S
omewhere at Panthers HQ, a folder most likely with a fair bit of dust on it contains a playing contract torn into about 10 pieces. The contract belonged to Mark Geyer. It was filed away during a drama-charged period at the club in 1992 after Geyer had torn the contract up during a fiery meeting with then-CEO Don Feltis in the car park of Penrith Stadium. Geyer had taken the death of Ben Alexander in 1992 particularly hard, but other issues were also playing a part in what was a difficult period for the big forward – including his relationship with Phil Gould, which had deteriorated significantly. “Phil made it perfectly plain to me that it was either him or Mark and over a period of some time highlighted the negatives that supported his opinion,” Feltis recalled in the Panthers: Men in Black book. Geyer had been injured in round 10 and despite requests from the club, refused to attend training. With the issue boiling, Feltis arranged a meeting. “He would not agree to attend training but agreed to meet me in the car park before training at Penrith Stadium,” Feltis said. Almost like a police operation, Feltis arranged for two Board members to be in the vicinity of the car park so they could confirm that the meeting took place. Geyer also attended the meeting with back-up and although the player has never been named, it is believed to have been Greg Alexander. “They got into my motor vehicle and Mark and I had an in-depth conversation about his relationship with Phil Gould, the team, and some other issues,” Feltis said. Feltis pleaded with Geyer to return to training and help the club turn back into a positive force following Ben Alexander’s death. “I also made it clear there were several conditions I wanted him to meet, but he was adamant he would not do that and wanted to leave the club,” he said. “During our conversation he became quite vocal and when I produced his player’s contract, he took it from me and tore it into at least eight or 10 parts. As proof of his actions and our conversation, that torn-up contract is still on file to this day.” It seems that time heals all wounds.
Mark Geyer playing for the Panthers in the 90’s
“When I produced his player’s contract, he took it from me and tore it into at least 8 or 10 parts”
Geyer would ultimately return to Penrith in the late 1990’s a much more mature player and man. And he’d even go on to appear alongside Gould on ‘The Sunday Roast’, with the pair having worked out their differences. These days, Geyer is the club’s #1 ticket holder, and just a few weeks ago he signed merchandise for fans less than a hundred metres from where he tore up that contract in Don Feltis’ car more than 20 years earlier.
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? T S U R T U O Y N A C O WH
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Friday 18 April 2014 the western weekender
WW7611
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PANTHERS IN PICTURES Brent Kite keeps kids entertained at a coaching clinic recently
Local kids love the Panthers
Kids enjoying the recent coaching clinic at Penrith Stadium
It’s not all about the big hits and sensational tries on the field. As the Panthers proved recently, spending time with young players in the community is also part of the mantra at Penrith, who make junior footy a priority @wwpenrith
Mary Anne Lowery
Chiropractor
& Massage Therapy
Easter School Holidays It’s a time when mums are on overdrive, organising family trips away and entertaining the children. A great way to express your appreciation to Mum is to book her in for a well deserved massage at our clinic.
• Stretch every 2 hours – break your trip up • Drink extra water to rehydrate the body • Pack healthy snacks to avoid junk food – this helps your digestion • Take your own pillow if possible – less stress for your neck • Lift correctly when moving your luggage
• Plan some interesting long walks and swims – this stretches the spine • Avoid too much sitting down – it creates maximum stress for the lower back • Avoid games on mobile phones as these causes chronic neck and shoulder strain • Best of all – make time to have a chiropractic check up for your children
44 Castlereagh Street, Penrith Tel: 4721 2143
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Friday 18 April 2014 the western weekender
Tips for Travelling
www.malchiro.com.au
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1. NRL players talk with youngsters at a coaching clinic 2. Jamal Idris and Jamie Soward join in on the fun 3. Jamie Soward is swamped by young fans 4. Brent Kite and Matt Robinson put kids through their paces Photos: Melinda Jane
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Friday 18 April 2014 the western weekender
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