FRI 8 AUG 2014 • Issue 023
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PREVIEW
1 Matt Moylan 2 Josh Mansour 3 Dean Whare 4 Jamal Idris 5 Dave Simmons 6 Will Smith 7 Jamie Soward 8 Nigel Plum 9 James Segeyaro 10 Sam McKendry 11 Sika Manu 12 Issah Yeo 13 Adam Docker 14 Lewis Brown 15 Jeremy Latimore 16. Matt Robinson 17 Tim Grant 18. Kevin Kingston 20. Sam Anderson 21. Ryan Simpkins
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PENRITH PANTHERS
ST GEORGE-ILLAWARRA 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 18
Adam Quinlan Brett Morris Josh Dugan Gerard Beale Jason Nightingale Gareth Widdop Benji Marshall Ben Creagh (c) Mitch Rein Mike Cooper Leeson Ah Mau Joel Thompson Jack de Belin Bronson Harrison Trent Merrin Will Matthews 17. Jack Stockwell Shane Pumipi 19. Dan Hunt
Jamie Soward returns to WIN Stadium this weekend. Photo: Melinda Jane
Soward’s back in the ‘Gong TROY DODDS
@troydodds
Penrith Panthers v St George-Illawarra KICK-OFF: SUN 10/8 • 3PM WIN Stadium Referees: Jared Maxwell and Adam Gee
Friday 8 August 2014 the western weekender
TV: Channel Nine 4.00pm Radio: Triple M Live 3.00pm
I
said last week that the final six weeks of the competition would all be about one question: How badly do they want it? The Penrith Panthers answered that question in emphatic fashion last weekend with a 22-16 defeat of Canterbury at ANZ Stadium, and now find themselves heading to Woolongong to take on a St George-Illawarra side that is very much fighting to keep their season alive. There are simply no easy games for an injury ravaged Penrith in this final stanza
of the competition proper and every week it will just get tougher. The Dragons have a very soft run home, with the Panthers the last top eight side they will play before the finals, but a loss on Sunday would make the road to September very difficult given it would leave them stranded on 22 competition points. St George-Illawarra also have something extra to play for with Jamie Soward returning to Woolongong for the first time since he was shown the door by former Dragons coach Steve Price last year. With Price now out of the picture, much of the emotion is taken out of Soward’s return to WIN Stadium but there is no doubt that the fans won’t give the playmaker a minute’s peace during the game. The battle of the halves this weekend is particularly intriguing with two of the most experienced players in the game going against each other in the shape of Soward and Benji Marshall. Both have faced similar adversities in the last 12 months and both have had to prove to a new set of fans and teammates that they still have plenty to offer in their ageing legs.
In Soward’s case, he has passed every test with flying colours and while he remains a liability in defence, his work with the football in his hands has been wonderful to watch and with youngster Will Smith given another chance in the top grade this weekend, it will be Soward that will control the show for Penrith. Marshall took time to adjust back into the week to week grind of rugby league but has very much found his mojo in recent matches, and is fortunate that he has the experienced Gareth Widdop with him in the number six jumper to take some of the pressure off particularly late in the game. Soward and to a lesser extent Smith were able to control the game against the Bulldogs last weekend, and didn’t allow Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson to get on top of them. Shutting down such a pairing is no easy task and there is no doubt that the Soward / Smith combination will only be better this weekend now that they’ve had 80 minutes alongside each other. Both will however have to aim up in defence – they missed a combined 12 tackles last weekend and you can guarantee the Dragons will target Penrith’s left-hand
side defence, where Soward retreats with Jamal Idris as his personal bodyguard. Soward’s defensive problems are no secret but with the tackling machine Elijah Taylor missing for the rest of the season, there is a huge fear that the Panthers could start to leak significant points if they’re not totally switched on for the full 80 minutes. Panthers coach Ivan Cleary added a little mystery to the week on Tuesday when he named seven players on his bench, including Tim Grant and Kevin Kingston who have been playing in the NSW Cup for several months. Lewis Brown, Jeremy Latimore, Matt Robinson, Sam Anderson and Ryan Simpkins also find themselves on that bench. Penrith will be able to find tries this weekend – particularly if Matt Moylan and James Segeyaro continue their fine form. The real question will be whether the Panthers can contain the Dragons given the number of injuries in key defensive positions. I’m predicting a high scoring game – somewhere between 30 and 40 points will be needed to win this one. Tip: Panthers by 8
FEATURE STORY
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NATHAN TAYLOR
3
@natetaylor87
After recovering from two serious knee injuries this year, winger David Simmons is keen to recapture the form that saw him finish 2013 as the NRL’s leading tryscorer David Simmons is back at last. Photo: Melinda Jane
Mr Reliable is back in action A t 28 years of age and in his 11th season in the game, David Simmons finished the 2013 season as the NRL’s equal leading tryscorer, perhaps realising the potential that fans always knew he had. However his breakout season last year hasn’t been replicated in 2014 with the man with the safe hands enduring one of his more difficult seasons to date. Last Friday night against the Bulldogs Simmons made a successful return to first grade after nearly two months off with a medial ligament injury in his knee. His most recent knee injury was his second of the year after earlier dislocating
his kneecap in the opening round of the season. Speaking with Extra Time, the now 29-year-old winger took his two serious injuries on the chin, labelling it not bad luck but just one of those things in footy. “It’s just football. Some years you go great, there’s no injuries and you get some momentum going but most seasons there’s usually a few injuries in them,” he said. “Last year, to play every game, was a pretty rare thing for any player. I think there were only two or three guys in our team that played every game, so it’s pretty rare.
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Stadium with Josh Mansour also recovering from a serious ankle injury. Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said the inclusion of two of Penrith’s most experienced wingers was crucial in the team’s charge to the finals. “It’s a really big boost to have those two guys back,” Cleary said. “In their own ways they’re different style of players but very inspirational for our team. They have a big impact on our side when we play well.” Simmons played one game in the NSW Cup to get his match fitness back up before returning to the top grade. He will play first grade against the Dragons on Sunday.
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“This is generally what most seasons are like.” Simmons said he suffered no real setback in his recent stint in rehab and enjoyed his time as a spectator watching the side play week to week. “It went really well. I just spent some time watching the boys, came to as many games as I could. I enjoyed being on the outside looking in on the team,” he said. “The only setback for me was fitness, the things you gain in pre-season you might lose but that was all. You just have to work hard to get back up to speed.” Simmons wasn’t the only Penrith winger to return to action last Friday night at ANZ
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FEATURE STORY
Injuries shatter title hopes P
He is facing an horrific injury toll and his side has been written off by the critics, but Ivan Cleary may just prove everyone wrong if the Panthers can rise above adversity in the coming weeks
enrith coach Ivan Cleary faces one of the biggest challenges of his coaching career as he tries to guide his injury ravaged side to an unlikely Grand Final appearance. The Panthers have been in the top four for most of the season but now face five of their toughest games of the year, plus the finals, without some of their biggest names. Written off by the critics, the Panthers stunned the Bulldogs 22-16 at ANZ Stadium last Friday night but lost Eljah Taylor, Bryce Cartwright and Brent Kite to season-ending injuries. The loss of Taylor to an ACL injury in his left knee is a huge blow to Penrith’s defence – he’s made 643 tackles this season, more than anyone else in the team. Rising star Cartwright suffered an ankle injury while Kite tore a pectoral muscle, robbing the Panthers of his much-needed experience at this time of the year. The triple injury blow last Friday night only added to Penrith’s woes, with halfback Peter Wallace, livewire utility Tyrone Peachey and back-up half Isaac John already gone for the year. Shaun Spence and George Jennings are also out injured, depleting Penrith’s backup stocks.
Penrith halfback Peter Wallace is out for the rest of the season. Photo: Melinda Jane With some of the club’s biggest names and most exciting rising stars on the sidelines, the Panthers face what some would say is an impossible task as they prepare for matches against the Dragons, Cowboys, Storm, Sea Eagles and Warriors to finish off the regular season. “We seem to be losing a few guys high up in the rankings,” Cleary said.
“ET (Taylor) has been phenomenal this year for us, but that’s life, there’s obviously a reason for this happening.” Looking at the situation as positively as he could, Cleary said it’s a case of “one door closes, another one opens” as he looks to put his faith in his side’s depth. Despite sitting in third spot on the ladder, Penrith are at $21.00 to win the title.
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FEATURE STORY
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NATHAN TAYLOR
@natetaylor87
Despite a mounting injury toll, prop Nigel Plum is confident that Penrith has what it takes to finish the regular season with a flurry of victories
s the injury crisis at the foot of the Mountains deepens, Penrith fans are starting to question whether their side will have enough juice in the tank or players on the park, for that matter, come finals time. One man who isn’t too fazed about the amount of scan results and crutches floating around at training is veteran prop Nigel Plum. The 30-year-old is no stranger to injuries himself, having suffered dozens over his 10-year career. But in a huge sign of faith in the club’s depth, Plum is confident Penrith has enough talent to not only fill the void of their missing stars but still be a force during the business end of the season. “We’ve got great depth at the club. We know they’re big losses but at the same time we’ve got some great players who are going to come in,” Plum told Extra Time. “The players who are going to come in have all played first grade and are good enough to play it. They’ll all be excited to play first grade again and the enthusiasm they’ll bring will allow them to slot straight into the side.” Penrith’s latest injury wave came last Friday night during their big win against the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium. On the back of losing Tyrone Peachey
Nigel Plum rips into the Bulldogs defence. Photo: Melinda Jane (pec) and Peter Wallace (knee) to seasonending injuries in recent weeks, the club lost another three stars in Elijah Taylor (knee), Bryce Cartwright (ankle) and Brent Kite (pec) for extended periods of time. “All of them brought massive things to the side. They are all big losses but that’s what happens in footy,” Plum admitted. “What’s going to determine how far we
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Penrith will rise above crisis A
go is how we respond. I guess the good thing about our club is that we play our best when the whole team does. “We’ve got good enough players to come in, we’ve just got to continue playing well as a team and things will go alright for us.” Penrith will take on the St George Illawarra Dragons in Wollongong this Sunday afternoon.
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FEATURE STORY
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Nines return NATHAN TAYLOR
@natetaylor87
T
he NRL Auckland Nines, which played to sellout crowds earlier this year, will return in 2015. The NRL made the expected announcement on Tuesday with next year’s event to be held at Eden Park on January 31 and February 1, 2015. That’s two weeks earlier than it was scheduled this season. All 16 teams will enter the tournament which carries prize money of more than $2.4 million. In a slight rule change, teams will now be required to bring 18 players across the ditch instead of the previous 16. This will enable teams to rotate more players and provide them with longer rest periods. The inaugural tournament this year,
won by the North Queensland Cowboys, was played in front of a crowd of nearly 90,000 over the two days. NRL Head of Commercial, Paul Kind, said the Nines is a fun and spectacular way of playing rugby league. “The atmosphere this year was absolutely brilliant and saw thousands of Australians travel to New Zealand for the event’s first year,” he said. “Not only did it produce great football but it brings enormous economic benefits to New Zealand.” Last year the Panthers enjoyed a successful tournament, going down to eventual winners North Queensland in the quarter finals. The only sour note for Penrith was the season-ending elbow injury suffered to young centre George Jennings. Tickets go on sale on October 9.
“Just another game”, says Soward Panthers halfback Jamie Soward says this Sunday’s clash against his old team at WIN Stadium is “just another game” and doesn’t carry any extra emotions. “Any time you come up against your
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old club everyone wants to make a big deal about it but for me I’ve moved on from that,” Soward said. “I’m enjoying my football out here and Sunday is just another game.”
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PRIDDO'S POINT LUKE PRIDDIS
Luke Priddis is an NRL veteran who won a premiership with Penrith in 2003 and was the winner of the Clive Churchill Medal
I will be first to admit that I really thought that Penrith would struggle against the Bulldogs without their captain Peter Wallace. However it was the Bulldogs who really struggled and despite some ‘no try’ decisions they really played well below what was expected and the Panthers did what they have done for the majority of the season and played what was in front of them to a standard that allowed them to come away with the two points. Despite the injuries, which by now are starting to test the depth of the club’s squad, the job doesn’t get any easier facing the Dragons at WIN Stadium. The important point is that last week’s victory means that they just need to win one more game to move to 30 points and be safe for the finals. With all the injuries to forwards, will Tim Grant get an opportunity to play first grade again this year? Injuries have been a talking point for a number of weeks with a big focus on the insurance, or lack of it, that is in place for rugby league players. All of a sudden it is important because of one high profile injury, which has then brought to the focus several other players that have also had career ending injuries. I have sat here year after year shaking my head, because with my Financial Planning background, I actually worked with an overseas insurer and put to the clubs several years ago while I was still playing, an income protection policy that would have provided cover for players with a long term and career ending injuries. It was all based on the injury reporting system that has been in place amongst the clubs for many years that gave the insurers actual statistics to work with. Still on injuries, I question why over the last couple of years there has been such an increase in ruptured pectorals commonly known as the chest muscle. Could it be that in trying to focus on increasing specific ranges of strength, they are actually weakening players?
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Panthers may snap up Lloyd
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Send your Panthers gossip at news@westernweekender.com.au
Panthers NSW Cup coach Garth Brennan has ruled himself out of contention for the head coaching role at Newcastle. Brennan was considered one of the favourites to take over from Wayne Bennett at the end of the season, but has decided to stay with Penrith after a heart to heart with club boss Phil Gould. I’ve spoken before about Telegraph journalist Phil Rothfield and my belief that he uses his position to settle some
applauded for such engagement with fans rather than be the subject of a cheap shot by Rothfield when he decides to take a break. Rothfield was at it again on Monday, running a bizarre story in which he personally rated media personalities. Not surprisingly, he gave Gus a low score. This week I stumbled across an article written by Gould in 2005, in which he said, “Rothfield has sledged me for more than a decade. His bitterness towards me has overtaken common sense and accuracy where my name is concerned. He is constantly wrong about me but that doesn’t stop him backing up for another go”. He also said that Rothfield places “agendas and personal grievances above readers’ needs for informative, accurate and unbiased reporting”. That was nine years ago, but not much seems to have changed in Rothfield’s world. Sad, really. Even Bulldogs coach Des Hasler refused to blame a couple of controversial video refereeing decisions on his side’s loss to Penrith last Friday, but it seems those at Bulldogs HQ may be sore losers. On Monday morning, some three days after the loss, they put up a Facebook post asking people to vote on whether they thought Tim Lafai did or didn’t score in the 25th minute. How odd for an official club page to do such a thing – I haven’t seen the Panthers doing that when they’ve been dudded on calls like this in the past. To make matters worse, if you voted ‘no’ in the poll mentioned above, a message popped up saying “Thank you for voting YES”. There’s no truth to the rumours that the Bulldogs have hired the video referees to run the technology behind the poll.
Garth Brennan has ruled himself out of the race for the top job at Newcastle sort of personal vendetta with Panthers boss Phil Gould. On Sunday, he questioned why Gould had quit Twitter, and lamented the fact that the Panthers boss didn’t return his text message asking for an explanation. Who could blame Gould for not replying? Gould has been one of the most active club officials on social media for several years, and should be
With Penrith considering moving matches to a number of venues next season comes the rumour that the club has made a profit on just three matches at Sportingbet Stadium this year. The Panthers are believed to be considering a complete revamp of their merchandise offerings for members next year. A voucher system is also being considered.
NATHAN TAYLOR
9 @natetaylor87
The Penrith Panthers NSW Cup team have wrapped up the 2014 minor premiership in style with a crushing 36-0 defeat of Manly last Saturday. The Panthers achieved the amazing feat with still one month left in the competition having pushed out to an unattainable eight point lead on their nearest rivals, the
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PANTHER RUMBLINGS
He’s only in his first year of first grade but according to Triple M, Bulldogs forward Lloyd Perrett has come to the attention of Panthers boss Phil Gould. The radio station reported last Friday night that the Panthers have tabled a big money offer to the 19-year-old, who played for the Australian Schoolboys in 2013 and represented Queensland in the Under 20s Origin in 2013 and 2014. While there’s been no verification of the story, there’s no doubt that the Panthers are in the market for a prop next season.
Lower GRADES
Panthers Holden Cup five-eighth Jarrod Brackenhofer Illawarra Cutters. Penrith’s win over the second last-placed Sea Eagles certainly appeared convincing on the final scoreboard but the side were only up 12-0 at the break. In front of about 100 diehard fans, the Panthers finally clicked into form in the second half, presumably after a famous Garth Brennan half time spray, to lay on four unanswered tries. Halfback Tom Humble was best on ground scoring three tries followed by in-form centre Waqa Blake with a double. The Panthers were without captain Kevin Kingston and backrower Matt Robinson for the clash who were both rested. Meanwhile, Penrith’s Holden Cup squad demolished the Canterbury Bulldogs last Friday afternoon 54-30. In a game clearly not based on defence, the Bulldogs pushed out to a 10-6 lead early before the Panthers decided to come to the party scoring the next four tries to lead 28-10 at the break. Penrith have now moved into 8th spot on the Holden Cup ladder.
Friday 8 August 2014 the western weekender
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Party ruined by Business armed robbery end of year YVONNE PURTELL
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PANTHERS FLASHBACK
JUNIORS @penrith_juniors
We have just seen our Sunday 2nd and 3rd division competitions come to a close for the 2014 season as they move into the final series from this weekend. Congratulations to all teams who have made the semi-finals and good luck with your games moving towards the grand finals, which will be held on August 31. We encourage all players to play these games in the right spirit. Final series games have entry fees set – the monies collected are then put back into the game in running our competitions and Fun Days for the kids. 2014 fees are: Sunday $6 and Saturday $3. Aged pensioners and children are free. A friendly reminder to all people involved in the game as we move into the finals, these events are managed by Junior League personnel and contrary to what many think, the rules don’t change at this time of the season. Familiarise yourselves with the rules so that you aren’t disappointed on the day. Our U6 and U7 Fun Day is fast approaching and everyone is reminded that this day is about having ‘fun’. The Junior League has relaxed some of the ‘normal’ rules in place throughout the season. There will be unlimited interchange and coaches have been reminded that this is about giving all the kids equal time on the field. As this day is all about ‘fun’, there will be no scores kept so everyone is a winner! There will be player appearances, jumping castles and other activities throughout the day. Where: Peter Van Hasselt Fields, Shalvey.When: Sunday, August 17 2014. In an article I read the other day it said “Don’t ever question the value of volunteers. Noah’s Ark was built by volunteers; the Titanic was built by professionals.” On behalf of the Junior League I would like to thank all the volunteers.
FROM THE VAULT
Friday 8 August 2014 the western weekender
From the vault this week comes the Big League Annual, released each year after the Grand Final. This edition is particularly special for Panthers fans as it’s the 1991 version, and marks the club’s first ever premiership success. The magazine, now almost a quarter of a century old, features John Cartwright and Mark Geyer on the cover and inside, has great coverage of the 1991 season.
TROY DODDS
@troydodds
I
t is the intriguing sub-plot to the 1991 Grand Final that the hands of time have confined to the history books – but it remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in the history of the Panthers. A day after Penrith’s 19-12 win over Canberra in the season decider, the party was still going at Panthers Leagues Club when an incredible, almost impossible to believe story took place. Three armed bandits staged a daring $360,000 raid at the Leagues Club and in dramatic scenes, shots were fired and witnesses, including a pregnant woman and her child, had to scramble for cover. The incident happened just before 11am on Monday, September 23, 1991. As the Telegraph reported: “Panthers spokesperson Carl Leddy said Armaguard had officially taken possession of the cash having collected it from the club’s management and exchanging it for a covering cheque. Minutes later three armed and masked thieves swooped on the two guards and escaped with the cash in what police said was an extremely well planned and executed raid”. The three male bandits used four vehicles during the robbery. They had posed as caterers to gain access to the perfect location to pull off the robbery. Despite getting away with the $360,000, it could have been a much bigger hit, as the bandits left behind around $700,000 – takings from the Grand Final victory party. Witness Carol Barber described the drama to the Telegraph at the time. “As soon as I heard the bang I grabbed my daughter and ducked,” she said. “All I could think of was her and I hid the both of us behind a nearby car.” Ironically, Carol remains a Panthers fan and is the mother of well-known Panthers fan and former club staff member, Phil Barber. Penrith police Sergeant, Mick O’Connor, said it was a well-planned robbery. “The crooks obviously put a lot of thought and planning into the attack,” he said. “The fact they used four cars, including a back-up one in case the getaway vehicle broke down, proves that.”
How the Telegraph covered the story
“As soon as I heard the bang I grabbed my daughter and ducked”
Police also said the crooks had extensive knowledge of the layout of the club, and knew exactly where they had to be to pull off the robbery. Quite incredibly, despite a huge police operation in the immediate aftermath of the robbery and around 40 witnesses watching the heist unfold, the 1991 raid on Panthers Leagues Club remains unsolved. After all these years, it would seem that those involved have gotten away with one of the most high profile, daring robberies you could imagine.
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NRL LADDER Club
F
A
+/- Pts
W
D
L
B
1 Sea Eagles
19
14
0
5
2
429 287 +142 32
ROUND 22
2 Rabbitohs
19
12
0
7
2
471 283 +188 28
Rabbitohs v Sea Eagles
3 Panthers
19
12
0
7
2
410 344 +66 28
Friday 7.45pm Sydney Cricket Ground
4 Roosters
19
11
0
8
2
449 321 +128 26
5 Bulldogs
19
11
0
8
2
356 332 +24 26
6 Storm
19
11
0
8
2
400 376 +24 26
7 Cowboys
19
10
0
9
2
438 332 +106 24
Knights v Storm
8 Warriors
19
10
0
9
2
473 383 +90 24
9 Eels
19
10
0
9
2
389 465 -76
Saturday 5.30pm Hunter Stadium
10 Broncos
19
9
0
10
2
402 354 +48 22
Cowboys v Tigers
11 Dragons
19
9
0
10
2
365 420 -55
Saturday 7.30pm 1300 Smiles Stadium
12 W. Tigers
19
9
0
10
2
362 452 -90 22
13 Titans
19
8
0
11
2
317 403 -86 20
14 Knights
19
6
0
13
2
315 449 -134 16
Saturday 8.00pm TIO Stadium
15 Raiders
19
5
0
14
2
358 527 -169 14
Warriors v Sharks
16 Sharks
19
5
0
14
2
275 481 -206 14
Sunday 2.00pm Mt Smart Stadium
Panthers close Lavington
Broncos v Bulldogs Friday 7.45pm Suncorp Stadium
24
22
Eels v Raiders
Dragons v Panthers
Extra Time Issue Number 023
Sunday 3.00pm WIN Stadium
PRINTED BY Spotpress Pty Ltd / PRODUCED BY The Western Weekender EDITOR Troy Dodds / 4722 2998 / troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au
Roosters v Titans
CONTRIBUTORS Nathan Taylor / Luke Priddis / Yvonne Purtell / Erin Molan
Monday 7.00pm Allianz Stadium
SALES MANAGER Simon Gould / 4722 2998 simon.gould@westernweekender.com.au
Panthers Group CEO, Warren Wilson The Panthers Group this week made the difficult decision to close their club at Lavington, near Albury, and it may not be the last club in the group to bite the dust. Panthers boss Warren Wilson confirmed to the Weekender that an accumulated debt of up to $8 million was the trigger behind the decision to cease trading at the Lavington club on Sunday. “It simply wasn’t making money,” Mr Wilson said. “It was unsustainable.” The club has been operating
at a loss for many years with the Panthers Group providing significant financial support during that time. The Panthers Group has endeavoured to find a buyer for the club and has explored a number of options without success. Mr Wilson told the Weekender that under-performing clubs in the group would be put under the microscope. “Every club is under review every year,” he said. Around 40 people have lost their jobs due to the closure of the Lavington club.
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rith
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extra time
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PANTHERS IN PICTURES Soward in action against the Bulldogs earlier this season
Soward silences critics
Jamie Soward fronts the media
Not all Panthers fans celebrated his signing, but Jamie Soward has proven his doubters wrong with a strong season for the Panthers. This weekend he heads to WIN Stadium to take on his old club in the shape of the Dragons @wwpenrith
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1. Soward makes a break against the Broncos 2. Soward looks to create some magic 3. Soward gets a kick away 4. Soward kicks long down the field Photos: Melinda Jane
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SPECIALISING IN
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IVE S U L C EX IEoW V R E T IN enrith T uch
1 Matt you came through the grades very quickly going from our Junior State Cup Teams to playing Men’s Premier League at the age of 15. Can you tell us a little bit about that experience? It was a great experience coming up through the Junior teams. My brother and a few mates were also in the Men’s Premier League team at the same time which made the transition a lot easier.
rP forme Matt Moylan from Junior ollins C d i v h & Da h Touc Penrit tion ia Assoc
2 Do you feel that the skills that you developed from your Touch background have been of benefit to your NRL career thus far? Playing at a higher level in Touch obviously helped me develop my ball skills and agility. Many of the same skills that are needed in Rugby League can be developed by playing Touch from a young age. 3
Touch
At one stage both yourself & your brother Ben were playing Men’s Premier League together, whilst your sister Ebony was playing Women’s Premier
League at the same time. That must have been a proud moment for the family? Yeah it was. Thats the best thing about Touch the whole family can play the game. 4
You also had the opportunity to travel overseas and represent Australia through Touch Football. That must have been a fantastic experience? It was an awesome experience to represent my country in Touch Football. To travel overseas and represent my country with mates i grew up playing Touch with at Penrith was an honour and something I will always remember.
5 Finally, what advice do you have for any guy playing Rugby League who is chasing his dream of playing in the NRL? Keep working hard and set yourself goals to achieve. I think playing Touch Football in the off season is another way which can help improve your skills that can easily be adapted into Rugby League.
L R N e h t d n a a i l Football Austra
Penrith Touch Junior Competition The Kingsway St Marys Monday 8th September 5:00 & 6:00pm
Wednesday 10th September 5:00 & 6:00pm
Under 6 Mixed
Under 12 Boys & Girls
Under 8 Mixed
Under 14 Boys & Girls
Under 10 Boys & Girls
Under 16 Boys & Girls
Competition to conclude on Monday 1st December
Competition to conclude on Wednesday 10th December
Cost: $50 Per Player Teams Require Minimum of 10 Players Registrations: will be on line through our website commencing Monday 4th August
ch Football u o T y r T & e Com @ Penrith
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Contact Sharon McDonald 0439 462 516 or Michelle Zabielo 0411 160 928 WW11224
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penrithta.sportingpulse.net