Photo: NRL Photos.
MATCH PREVIEW
THE FINAL WORD
What all of them doubted was Cleary’s football smarts.
“ Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.”
The words of NBA legend Michael Jordan ring true when it comes to the Penrith Panthers.
Sure, the Panthers are fronted by a once-in-a-generation halfback but it is so much more than skillset when it comes to Nathan Cleary.
There are still league fans who dismiss Cleary. As he built a collection of Premiership rings one by one, they had to keep coming up with fresh excuses.
It’s not that they were wrong about their arguments. Yes, Cleary has been behind strong forward packs that have dominated oppositions. Yes, he has kept it simple – not fixing what isn’t broken. No, the attacking flair isn’t the greatest we’ve seen
You see where Cleary excels is knowing and understanding the game better than any number seven of the modern era. He is constantly two steps ahead, forever reading what the opposition is doing almost like they were showing their cards at every move.
Nathan Cleary may not have reinvented the wheel, but boy did he figure out how to use its potential better than anyone else.
Even when Penrith were losing games last year, you never doubted they were a smart football team. There is an intelligence about them that has taken them to a level above most of the competition.
Watch the Panthers play and then watch all the other teams over the weekend. Penrith may make mistakes, but you will rarely find yourself shaking your head at a particular play or doubting the game plan.
There was another team like that not so long
ago – namely the Melbourne Storm. And while Craig Bellamy made footy intelligence part of his side’s DNA, there is no question Melbourne have lost some of that over the last few years.
That’s not to say the smarts don’t rise to the fore every now and again – Harry Grant showed that in this corresponding match at CommBank Stadium last year.
This Friday night’s battle between the Panthers and Storm is an intriguing one.
Penrith are deserved favourites and the way they’ve played over the past four weeks, it’s hard to imagine anyone toppling them in the near future.
But even the best sides usually drop a game around this stage of the season – so this one has danger game written all over it. Especially given the Storm have dropped two straight games.
However, one thing you have been able to say about Melbourne for so long is that they always appear to be a ‘settled’ football side – something that hasn’t been the case in 2026.
Already disrupted by the shock retirement of Ryan Papenhuyzen and Eli Katoa’s medical issues while on international duties, they were hit for six this week when Tui Kamikamica suffered a medical episode at training.
Everyone’s first thoughts are rightly with the Fijian’s health both in the short and long term, but there is no doubt this would have disrupted Melbourne’s preparation for this game.
Penrith have also been forced into a change with Mitch Kenny suspended for this one, and any disruption to the spine is obviously going to be a factor in your performance.
This is a Good Friday blockbuster to savour. It has all the makings of a tight encounter, which wouldn’t be such a bad thing for the Panthers at the moment given how easily they’ve been putting teams away.
But in the end, who’s smarter? The Storm may well ace plenty of tests, but the Panthers are the school Dux.
Tip: Panthers by 4.
Sorensen: Pick Kenny for the Blues
NATHAN TAYLOR
Premiership-winning Panthers forward Scott Sorensen is demanding Laurie Daley select unsung teammate and dummy half Mitch Kenny in the NSW Blues team this year.
The extraordinary call comes just days after 28-year-old Kenny was suspended for this Friday’s blockbuster against Melbourne following a hip-drop tackle on Eels fullback Isaiah Iongi last weekend.
Speaking with Extra Time prior to the Good Friday clash at CommBank Stadium, the experienced backrower said the Panthers are going to miss Kenny dearly against the Storm.
“To be honest, I’m actually really glad you asked about him,” Sorensen began.
“I feel like Mitch doesn’t get the praise that he deserves”
“I feel like Mitch doesn’t get the praise that he deserves. He has been an absolute warrior for our side for so long. The way he is leading our team at training, the way he is leading our team on the park – he’s taken his game to the next level.”
Sorensen then doubled down on Kenny’s impact for Penrith as well as his maturity and leadership by calling for the hooker’s selection in this year’s State of Origin series.
“It might come across biased because I’m one of his teammates and I love him, but he is honestly kicking the door down for State of Origin… he’s kicking the door down for international football. I say that with absolute honesty, like he’s screaming out to get a Blues jersey and he deserves it,” Sorensen declared.
“Everyone that plays with Mitch here knows that when he is playing it fills you with absolute confidence and I love playing with him.
“That should explain how much we’re going to miss him on Friday; you know what I mean?”
Kenny’s absence tomorrow night will see new Panthers recruit Freddy Lussick in the starting hooker role against the Storm. On Monday, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary praised Lussick’s work ethic at training and Sorensen said he couldn’t agree more.
“When he came in the pre-season Freddy just grabbed the opportunity with both hands – he was very impressive,” Sorensen said.
“Obviously Ivan has built an incredible culture here and he’s just bought straight into that and is doing an incredible job.
“He is putting his hand up and more to push for a position in this team and he’s been very impressive. For him to get a crack on Friday night is very exciting for him and for the team.”
After six amazing seasons with the Panthers, Sorensen will depart the club at season’s end. He’ll join new NRL franchise the Perth Bears from 2027 on two-year deal.
Sorensen, whose wife is from Western Australia, said he’s looking forward to his latest chapter next year.
“I’m very fortunate and very grateful to the Bears for this incredible opportunity, it’s very exciting,” he said.
“But it’s going to be hard to say goodbye to this organisation. It’s going to be bittersweet, but I can’t say thank you enough to the Bears. But that opportunity doesn’t come without the Panthers obviously.”
Prop Liam Henry and former Panther Mav Geyer will join Sorensen in Perth.
Scott Sorensen on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Melinda Jane.
Scott Sorensen and Mitch Kenny in 2022. Photo: NRL Images.
You can’t sign ‘em all
Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards would love all his teammates to re-sign and be Panthers for life, but he knows better than most that’s not how the sporting business works.
The Panthers have more than a dozen first graders off-contract next season including co-captains Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Moses Leota, Blaize Talagi, Brian To’o, Mitch Kenny, Paul Alamoti and Isaiah Papali’i.
While Penrith would love to re-sign everyone to new deals, the reality is that some of our favourite players are going to be at new clubs come 2028.
Speaking with Extra Time on Wednesday, Edwards said Panthers bosses would already have somewhat of a plan as to which players they’ll want to keep past next year.
“I’m sure management’s got a plan, but hopefully all those guys stay, but you just never know in this game do you?” Edwards pondered.
“There’s so many opportunities coming up for people to potentially leave, to potentially cash in and get really big contracts for themselves and their family.
“It’s the game we play. It’s the
world we live in, but fingers crossed they all get sorted.”
Unlike many of his teammates around the Panthers Academy, Edwards won’t have to stress about a new contract as the Australian and NSW Blues representative is currently locked away until the end of 2028.
Edwards said contract negotiations between a player and a club often stay private, except under special circumstances.
“As a player, you might have a conversation with a couple of people at the club that you’re really close to but it’s never going to be about the amount of dollars really… you’re not going to discuss that in here,” Edwards said.
“Ultimately, the final decision is up to you and your loved ones.”
Making some of Penrith’s players worth even more money on the open market is the fact that the Panthers are flying at the moment and currently sit on top of the NRL ladder after four rounds.
Edwards said his hot start to the season, which sees him in equal third spot on the Dally M ladder, can be put down to a huge team effort.
“It’s a team sport really isn’t it? So I think my form is a by-product of a team that’s playing well and there-
fore individuals are playing well, so I sort of can feed off that,” he said.
“But we’re still really aware that there’s plenty of work to do and plenty of work to still be done. So we’re not getting too far ahead of ourselves but we’re happy with the start.”
The Panthers will be aiming to keep their winning streak alive when they face-off with old foes the Melbourne Storm on Good Friday at CommBank Stadium.
Edwards said the club will miss hooker Mitch Kenny tomorrow night after he was suspended for one match due to a dangerous contact charge, with Freddy Lussick taking his spot.
“Mitch definitely doesn’t get the raps he deserves externally. Internally, we absolutely love him!” he said.
“He doesn’t miss many games, and he provides that consistency out of mind. It’s his aggression defensively as well. He’s someone that locks up that middle third of the field.
“I’m spewing that Mitch is going to miss this game but I’m excited to see
Dylan Edwards is having a huge start to the 2026 season. Photo: Melinda Jane.
NATHAN TAYLOR
Leadership locked in
Graham remains Chairman: Peter Graham will remain as Chairman of Panthers Group, with his tenure extended following the club’s Annual General Meeting last week. Graham along with the rest of the club’s Directors were returned at the Board Election in February, with the Annual General Meeting the final signoff required. Mark Mulock and Greg Alexander will continue to serve in their roles as Deputy Chairmen. It means the club has firmed up its leadership with Graham as Chairman and Andrew Hill as CEO. High on the Board’s agenda is the appointment of a new Independent Director.
Here’s cheers: The new-look Pantherettes danced up a storm at the Panthers v Eels game at CommBank Stadium last Saturday. The new group shrugged off recent media attention to continue the Pantherette tradition at Panthers home games. One thing I’d like to note – while the performance has generally always faced the west, given the western side at CommBank Stadium is completely corporate and so many people are inside suites and function rooms when the cheerleaders are on, perhaps switching it up and having them face paying members and fans would be a better option?
Allam extends: Long-time Panthers corporate partner Allam Homes has extended its sponsorship of the club until the end of the 2028 season. The renewed agreement will see
the Allam Homes brand continue to feature on Panthers jerseys, corner posts and at Panthers home games. “We are incredibly proud to extend our partnership with the Penrith Panthers and continue supporting such a successful and community-focused club,” Allam Homes Director Ben Allam (pictured with Panthers CEO Matt Cameron) said.
Spotted: Panthers hooker Mitch Kenny and forward Scott Sorensen grabbing a take-away coffee from Percy Plunkett on Monday.
Kenny cops ban: Despite Penrith’s success with little-known lawyer Ivan Cleary at the
judiciary earlier this year, the club has opted not to fight Mitch Kenny’s Dangerous Contact charge following an incident with Eels fullback Isaiah Iongi last weekend. Many within the club were seething at the charge, but there’s a realisation it’s difficult to successfully defend such interpretations. Kenny will sit out this Friday’s game against Melbourne.
to social media to clarify Royce was still alive and kicking. Truth is it’s just one of dozens of fake posts that do the rounds on Facebook, which seems to have little control of spam and fake news on its platform. The latest involved winger Brian To’o – apparently he was arrested and at risk of missing last week’s game against the Eels. It’s all just farcical.
Schmick look: Penrith’s 2004 retro jersey certainly looked the goods against the Eels last weekend. But some fans were frustrated that the jerseys they pre-ordered from the club arrived after they were readily available in stores like Rebel Sport.
Spotted: Dumped veteran Pantherettes Chloe Carter and Abby Leah cheering on the Panthers from the stands at CommBank Stadium.
Spotted: Premiership-winning Panthers forward Moses Leota at Daniel’s Auto Group, helping promote their RAM range.
Spill the tea: Got some news to share? Spotted a Panther out and about? Email maskedpanther@westernweekender.com.au. I don’t keep secrets but I do protect my sources.
Socials spam: I told you last week about the nasty fake post doing the rounds about Royce Simmons passing away. His wife had to take
Edwards shares tips: Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards visited Glenmore Park High School recently for a Student Leadership Day. Luddenham Public School students (pictured) were among the students taking part in the event, where students heard from inspiring people about leadership across a variety of sectors.
Peter Graham and Andrew Hill.
PANTHERS POSTER
Patience is the name of the game
Penrith supporters and the rugby league world all want to know whether Nathan Cleary will re-sign with the Panthers beyond this current contract, which expires at the end of 2027.
If Cleary doesn’t re-sign before November 1, he will hit the open market which means any of the other 17 clubs can sign him.
You could almost hear the excitement in Nine league journo Danny Weildler’s voice when he asked Nathan Cleary last week; “The other talking point around you has been your decision to test the market. Why do you want to do that?”
Cleary smiled, he knew Weildler was trying to get him to confirm something he knew he’d never actually said.
“I don’t think I’ve ever announced that,” Cleary smiled. He was right, he’s never actually said those words.
What Cleary has said is that he’s in no hurry to make a decision on his future. That he still has nearly two years left on his current contract and that to leave Penrith is something that would be very hard to do.
I’m one of those ‘nut jobs’ that has heard or read everything Cleary has said on the subject. I’m always
trying to find a key word or phrase he might’ve let slip which would give an indication of what his final decision will be.
A lot of Panthers supporters believe he will not re-sign after his current contract with Penrith expires.
And what do they base this on?
Well largely his relationship with girlfriend Mary Fowler.
One theory is that he will leave the Panthers and go play in the English Super League to be closer to Mary.
People forget that Mary herself is off-contract with Manchester City during the summer of 2027. Who knows what she will do as well.
As for Cleary, who would be on well over a million dollars a season if he re-signs with Penrith, he’d be facing a pay cut to head overseas.
In the Super League the current highest paid players are on a maximum of about $385,000 Australian.
Quite an income drop and don’t kid yourself thinking ‘Clez’ could pick up sponsorship deals to boost his salary. In the UK, the Super League currently ranks as the country’s fourth most popular sport sitting well behind football, cricket and rugby union.
Hell, even the sport of darts regularly outrates Super League
The other popular belief is that he’ll go to the Papua New Guinea Chiefs and earn a couple of million dollars a year tax free.
This option is particularly popular because Mary has mixed Irish/ Papua New Guinean heritage.
Problem with that option is that it doesn’t bring the couple any closer together unless Mary wants to quit her sport and move to PNG with him.
Highly doubtful.
So where does all this analysis leave us?
The answer is nowhere. I’m still none the wiser and you want to know why? Because I don’t even think Nathan knows what he will do yet.
Whenever he says that to a journo I actually believe that he’s telling the truth.
Now there will come a time when Cleary will have to make a decision whether he wants to stay at Penrith or not.
If he decides not to, then he needs to give Penrith enough time so they can plan a future without him.
But that time is not today… it’s not even tomorrow.
Sit tight folks, he’ll let us know when he knows.
Until then, let’s just leave the kid alone to think.
Nathan Cleary is always a hit with the fans. Photo: NRL Photos.
with Peter Lang Lang on League
How footy has taught Smith lessons in life
Lindsay Smith has loved footy his whole life, now he is living his dream and saying it taught him to be accountable for his actions.
Smith played his junior footy for the St Marys Saints and has played at Penrith for the last five years. Last month he announced he would remain at the club until the end of 2029.
Footy has given Smith so much more than a job with the prop saying the lessons he has learnt as a player translate into his everyday life.
“It has taught me to be accountable for your actions,” he explained to Behind the Game this week.
“One thing I’ve learned the most is even if something is not completely your fault, you probably had something to do with it along the way and trying to understand and take that as a way to get better and not kick stones.
“Just trying to look for ways to
get better, understand, and be accountable for your actions and what you might have contributed.”
Like many of us, Smith remains a fan of the game, saying when he has the chance he flicks on the TV.
“As a kid, I’d watch every game every weekend,” Smith said.
“I try, especially at the start of the season, to watch as much footy as I can but it’s becoming a little bit more difficult with my family and little one at home.
“I try to watch as much as I can but also find times to get away at the same time.”
Smith’s young son may be lacing up his own pair of boots in the future but for now he’s happy to watch his dad.
“He’s loving it at the moment!” Smith laughed.
“He loves coming to the game and seeing it on TV, but I think he is more excited about watching cars go around on a track.”
Lindsay Smith. Photo: Melinda Jane.
NRL LADDER & FIXTURES
BYE: Roosters
BULLDOGS
DOLPHINS RABBITOHS PANTHERS COWBOYS
DOLPHINS RABBITOHS PANTHERS COWBOYS
SEA EAGLES BULLDOGS PANTHERS COWBOYS
DOLPHINS BULLDOGS PANTHERS COWBOYS
DOLPHINS BULLDOGS PANTHERS COWBOYS
SEA EAGLES BULLDOGS PANTHERS COWBOYS
SEA EAGLES BULLDOGS PANTHERS COWBOYS
DOLPHINS BULLDOGS PANTHERS COWBOYS
DOLPHINS BULLDOGS PANTHERS COWBOYS
DOLPHINS BULLDOGS PANTHERS DRAGONS
DOLPHINS RABBITOHS PANTHERS COWBOYS
DOLPHINS BULLDOGS PANTHERS COWBOYS
DOLPHINS BULLDOGS PANTHERS DRAGONS
DOLPHINS RABBITOHS PANTHERS DRAGONS
SEA EAGLES BULLDOGS PANTHERS COWBOYS
SEA EAGLES BULLDOGS PANTHERS COWBOYS
SEA EAGLES RABBITOHS PANTHERS COWBOYS
BRONCOS WARRIORS KNIGHTS TIGERS
WARRIORS KNIGHTS EELS
BRONCOS WARRIORS KNIGHTS TIGERS
BRONCOS WARRIORS RAIDERS EELS
BRONCOS SHARKS RAIDERS TIGERS
BRONCOS WARRIORS RAIDERS TIGERS
BRONCOS WARRIORS RAIDERS TIGERS
BRONCOS SHARKS RAIDERS TIGERS
BRONCOS WARRIORS KNIGHTS TIGERS
BRONCOS SHARKS RAIDERS EELS
BRONCOS SHARKS RAIDERS EELS
BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS EELS
BRONCOS WARRIORS RAIDERS TIGERS
BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS EELS
BRONCOS WARRIORS RAIDERS TIGERS
BRONCOS WARRIORS RAIDERS TIGERS
BRONCOS WARRIORS RAIDERS EELS
WARRIORS
DOLPHINS BULLDOGS
DOLPHINS RABBITOHS PANTHERS COWBOYS
WARRIORS KNIGHTS EELS
DOLPHINS BULLDOGS PANTHERS COWBOYS BRONCOS WARRIORS RAIDERS TIGERS
SEA EAGLES RABBITOHS PANTHERS COWBOYS BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS TIGERS
DOLPHINS RABBITOHS PANTHERS COWBOYS
DOLPHINS BULLDOGS PANTHERS COWBOYS
DOLPHINS BULLDOGS PANTHERS COWBOYS
DOLPHINS RABBITOHS PANTHERS COWBOYS
DOLPHINS BULLDOGS PANTHERS DRAGONS
BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS EELS
BRONCOS SHARKS RAIDERS TIGERS
BRONCOS SHARKS RAIDERS TIGERS
BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS EELS
BRONCOS SHARKS RAIDERS TIGERS
DOLPHINS RABBITOHS PANTHERS COWBOYS BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS TIGERS
SEA EAGLES BULLDOGS PANTHERS COWBOYS
SEA EAGLES RABBITOHS PANTHERS DRAGONS
DOLPHINS RABBITOHS PANTHERS DRAGONS
DOLPHINS BULLDOGS PANTHERS COWBOYS
DOLPHINS RABBITOHS PANTHERS DRAGONS
SEA EAGLES BULLDOGS PANTHERS COWBOYS
BRONCOS WARRIORS RAIDERS TIGERS
BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS EELS
BRONCOS WARRIORS RAIDERS EELS
BRONCOS SHARKS RAIDERS EELS
BRONCOS SHARKS KNIGHTS TIGERS
BRONCOS WARRIORS RAIDERS TIGERS
DOLPHINS RABBITOHS PANTHERS DRAGONS BRONCOS WARRIORS KNIGHTS EELS
DOLPHINS BULLDOGS PANTHERS COWBOYS
BRONCOS WARRIORS RAIDERS EELS
