RABBIT HUNTERS
PANTHERS LOOK TO CONTINUE WINNING RUN IN A FRIDAY NIGHT SHOWDOWN WITH SOUTHS EASY-TO-READ TEAM LIST AND MATCH PREVIEW: PAGES 30-31
Paul Alamoti.
Photo: NRL Photos.
the finalword
There were a few moments out of last Sunday’s game against Parramatta that should instil every Penrith fan with hope, and every other rugby league supporter with a tinge of fear.
And it has nothing to do with some scintillating tries, good individual form or defence that has improved remarkably since the start of the season.
It was all about one thing: having fun.
For the first time this season, I noticed the side looked like they were enjoying themselves again – the type of fun that had them labelled as being arrogant at different times during their Premiership run.
The type of fun that even Ivan and Nathan Cleary partook in, both in the post-match press conference when they produced something of a comedy act that could get a run at the EVAN Theatre, or during the game when the latter
took a harsh reaction from the crowd in his stride.
Penrith having fun is dangerous for the rest of the NRL.
Slowly, bit by bit, the Panthers are piecing together the components of success they’ve had over the past four years for a tilt at this year’s Premiership – and it might just happen to come at the perfect time.
As suggested last week, Ivan Cleary will carefully manage this run to the Finals now that the State of Origin period is over. With no byes left, the Panthers must ensure their big stars aren’t completely wiped out by the time the big games arrive.
Loads will be managed, players will miss games. Trust the process.
Hence the decision to rest Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo this week, perfectly timed and well deserved.
The Panthers take on South Sydney at CommBank Stadium this Friday night on a short back-up from Sunday’s clash with the Eels. The Panthers wouldn’t have been pushed all that much this week – not with that kind of workload.
They’ll roll into this match off the back of the win over the Eels looking for the same kind of game plan. They were happy to go with the Eels for the first half and then put the foot down in the second. It almost put Parramatta into a false sense of security.
The Rabbitohs have had no luck this year. They’ve hardly had their best side on the field at all and injuries to key players, often for extended periods, has hampered their run.
It’s at this time of year when the mountain just feels too hard to climb for many sides, and the Bunnies would be feeling that at the moment. In fact there’s every chance this could be the
white flag game where it all just falls apart and those September holidays start to feel closer. Souths are sitting 16th on the competition ladder – it’s been a woeful season, and while any Wayne Bennett side deserves respect, the trajectory of these two sides on Friday night couldn’t be any more different.
It was good to see the likes of Lindsay Smith and Izack Tago up their games last weekend –they’ve been a little underwhelming at times this year but they both stood up and produced probably their best games of the season. Unfortunately, Penrith’s unfortunate record with the Match Review Committee has continued and Tago will be miss this Friday night’s game.
A tougher task with some key personnel missing, but Penrith should still have too much class. Comfortable, but not a blow-out.
Tip: Panthers by 12.
Graphic by Kacey Wilson
GERARD SUTTON | BUNKER: CHRIS BUTLER
panther rumblings
PRINCESS TO’O ON THE WAY
! Baby two for To’o: Panthers and New South Wales winger Brian To’o is expecting a baby daughter with his wife Moesha. To’o made the happy announcement after the Origin decider last Wednesday night, sparking a flurry of congratulatory texts and social media comments from fellow players and friends alike.
! Spotted: Isaah Yeo and his family enjoying breakfast at Henri Marc in Penrith last week.
! Spotted: Mitch Kenny becoming a spectator and enjoying State of Origin III from the crowd at Accor Stadium last Wednesday night – complete with a Blatchy’s Blues wig (and good mate Zac Hosking).
! Reporter raises eyebrows: One has to wonder if former Fox Sports sideline commentator Tiffany Salmond is doing herself any favours by her incessant posting on social media regarding why she’s not on air. Salmond was clearly popular, but any suggestion fans are giving this more than a second thought or are preparing to march the streets is a bit over the top.
! Spotted: Paul Alamoti and Izack Tago catching up with former Panther and current Eels flyer Isaiah Iongi following last Sunday’s game at CommBank Stadium.
! NRL’s photo blunder: The NRL’s main media photo website, NRL Imagery, has been down for weeks. The website provides images to media outlets across the country to help promote the game, and features an exceptional array of content from the NRL’s hard working photographers. Unfortunately fixing the broken website is proving a challenge, frustrating both picture editors and those within the NRL’s photographic team alike.
! Cleary on speaking circuit: The success of Penrith in recent years under Ivan Cleary means the four-time Premiership-winning coach is now in demand on the speaking circuit. Cleary is due to give a talk on resilience, leadership and building champion teams at a breakfast being put together by global commercial real estate giant JLL later this month.
! Beer blunder: The State Government acted like they were doing us all a favour when announcing full strength beer was being served at venues like Accor Stadium. But at last Wednesday’s Origin, fans were restricted
to buying two drinks at a time. On paper, those making these decisions must think they are geniuses – slowing down people’s drinking. But in reality it just causes longer queues and issues as ‘shouts’ become problematic and the experience is soured. It’s also worth noting that no such restrictions applied in corporate areas or even the Centreline Lounge.
! Spotted: Sydney Morning Herald journalist Michael Chammas holding court in the media box at State of Origin III last Wednesday night, clearly still king of the castle after his recent run-in with Phil Gould and a string of big yarns.
! Private moments: In the darkness of the result of last Wednesday night’s State of Origin decider, there were some beautiful private moments for champion halfback Nathan Cleary
(who has unfairly copped a lot of the criticism following the defeat). I spotted him having in depth off-camera conversations with former Blues captain Paul Gallen, as well as legend and Immortal Andrew Johns. He also spent plenty of time with his parents as the reality of the defeat set in.
! Cleary fronts up: You’ve got to give credit where it’s due to Nathan Cleary and his professionalism and willingness to front up. With the heat still on after the Origin decider flop, he was more than happy to stick around post-game after the Eels game last Sunday to take selfies with fans. He then fronted the post-match press conference – a duty he could have easily handed off to co-captain Isaah Yeo. Cleary is in a great headspace and with so many years ahead of him, will tick off those unfinished boxes along the way.
! Panther reunion: How’s this for a Panthers reunion? Former Penrith NRL stars James Fisher-Harris, Jarome Luai, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Sunia Turuva and Panthers junior Terrell May caught up for a priceless photo following the clash between the Warriors and Tigers last Sunday.
! Spill the tea: I don’t keep secrets but I do protect my sources. If you’ve got something to share, email maskedpanther@westernweekender.com.au.
Brian To’o shares his baby news.
SCHNEIDER PROVES HE’S MR VERSATILE
Not many players can say they filled in for both Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo in the one game, but ‘Mr Versatile’ Brad Schneider can lay claim to just that.
The 24-year-old had a game he’ll never forget last Sunday against Parramatta – starting the match at halfback while Nathan Cleary was on the bench before switching to play lock while captain Isaah Yeo was having a breather.
“It was a pretty big ask to fill in for those two big players, but it was good fun though,” Schneider told Extra Time this week.
“That was my first time plating lock. I’ve played hooker a fair few times but lock nowadays feels like another half out there – you’re just in the middle of the field.”
Since arriving at the foot of the Mountains from the UK Super League last season, Schneider has often played multiple positions. His versatility and willingness to take on big challenges
is exactly why four-time Premiership-winning coach Ivan Cleary trusts him whenever he is needed.
“It’s definitely challenging to be able to cover a lot of positions,” Schneider admitted.
“I enjoy it a lot though! It’s pretty fun because I get to go out and just play footy because I never know where I’m going to play.
“I get to really enjoy it and just go out there and just do what I do. It was tough at the start, but now I’m really enjoying it.”
Another thing Schneider also enjoyed of late was seeing the Queensland Maroons shock the rugby league world by winning the 2025 State of Origin series.
A proud Queenslander, who hails from Townsville, Schneider said it was hard cheering against NSW when so many of his current Panthers teammates play in the team.
“It is hard because when you’re watching, you want the [Penrith] boys to do well and you’re cheering for them, but you’re also a Queenslander, so you want them to win also,” he said.
“There’s not many Queenslanders
here at Penrith, so I’m outnumbered. It was a really good series. The last game was really good to watch!”
Schneider will reunite with Blues stars Dylan Edwards and Brian To’o this Friday night when the Panthers battle South Sydney at CommBank Stadium. The former Canberra Raiders playmaker is expected to play the entire game at halfback with Nathan Cleary rested.
“Souths have got a lot of strike and some very talented players. You can’t go out there thinking you’re going to win,” Schneider said.
“You have to turn up or they’ll pull your pants down. It’s going to be a big game on Friday night.”
Schneider will play just his 10th game of the season tomorrow night, hoping to put in a strong performance for the Premiers. The talented half is off-contract at season’s end and is on the lookout for a new deal.
“I’d love to stay here… it’s such a great club. But I’ll leave that to my manager to sort that stuff out,” he said.
“I love the club, and I’d love to stay, I’ll just see whatever pops up.”
Brad Schneider last Sunday against the Eels. Photo: NRL Images.
NATHAN TAYLOR
SMITH PRIMED FOR PENRITH’S RUN HOME
Panthers prop Lindsay Smith has admitted his recent stint in NSW Blues camp has given him a confi dence boost heading into the back end of the season.
The 25-year-old was called up to be part of Laurie Daley’s squad for Origin II in Perth as well as the decider in Sydney. And while he was 19th man on both occasions, Smith said it was a “cool experience” rubbing shoulders with the game’s best.
“That’s where you want to be at the end of the day – in and around those camps,” he told Extra Time on Wednesday.
“To be around the calibre of players and learning off them was pretty special and nothing I’ll take for granted.
“Being in those camps, I guess, does give you a confidence boost because it’s recognising what you’ve done week in, week out. But it’s about bringing that back to Clubland and putting your best forward.”
Smith’s first game back from State of Origin duty was a banger, with the likeable St Marys junior scoring his first try of the season against the Parramatta Eels last Sunday evening.
“That try definitely felt good,” he said.
“It was a little bit of a selfish play, but it was good to get the ball down that’s for sure.”
The Kangaroos forward was one of six try scorers in Penrith’s monster 32-10 win over their western Sydney neighbours. Smith said his side’s attack has been moving in the right
“We were definitely better in the second half than in the first,” he said.
“It was good to get a bit of ball and string some of our attack together, which I think is moving in the right direction. But we still have a long way to go.”
Another boost the Panthers received before kick-off last Sunday was the inclusion of co-captains Isaah Yeo and Nathan Cleary into the side.
The pair – bitterly disappointed from the Origin decider –managed to shrug off their demons to produce solid performances.
“It was pretty special having them both out there,” Smith said.
“I think they both played 80 in Origin and to back up a few days later, especially after the defeat, gave us all a boost because we know how much that loss would have drained them physically and mentally.
“For them to put their hand up and want to back up definitely gave us a boost. If they’re doing that, you want to be putting your best foot forward that’s for sure.”
While Penrith will welcome back Dylan Edwards and Brian To’o, both Cleary and Yeo will sit out this Friday night’s clash against the struggling South Sydney Rabbitohs at CommBank Stadium.
The last time the two teams met was back in Round 4 when the Bunnies put on a clinic in the first half to lead 28-0.
Smith said he’s wary of the Rabbitohs despite their lowly position on the ladder.
“Souths haven’t got the results they’ve wanted lately, but they are a side that has strike across the park and they have a pretty good coach, so it’s definitely a team to be wary of,” he said.
“You know on their day when they put their best foot forward they are hard to beat. It’s about recognising that and understanding we need to bring our best on the weekend.”
Lindsay Smith scores against the Eels. Photo: NRL Images.
Lindsay Smith. Photo: NRL Images.
NATHAN TAYLOR
Tries: T Jenkins, L Garner, I Tago, P Alamoti, N Cleary, L Smith Goals: P Alamoti 4/7
Tries: M Hunter, J Samrani, J Lussick, R Penisini,
Tries: K Kautoga, Z Lomax Goals: Z Lomax 1/2
Tries: P Riki, B Phillips, A Kepaoa, N Murphy J Cole 2/4
player of the year
BYE: BRONCOS
panther memories
Barry Harris (pictured) is not a name that sits in Penrith folklore, though an incident in the last game of the 1975 season certainly is.
Harris was coach for part of the 1975 campaign, and for 1976 .
Prized English recruit Mike Stephenson was captaincoach for the start of the 1975 season, but gave up the coaching duties to Harris about six weeks into the season.
Harris removed Stephenson as captain during the year, only to reinstate him, before huge drama engulfed the final game of the year against St George at Penrith Park.
Harris sacked Stephenson as captain just 15 minutes before the game – giving Bill Ashurst the leadership role. It rattled Penrith, who needed to win to avoid the wooden spoon. Somehow, the Panthers came from 19-0 down to win 25-19. And to top it all off –Stephenson was carried off unconscious during the game!
There was no love lost between Harris and Stephenson. Harris would depart as coach at the end of 1976.
He died in 2006, aged 67.
LOSS WILL MAKE CLEARY STRONGER
There were two responses Nathan Cleary made in the post-match press conference following the Panthers win over the Eels last Sunday night which showed why he will one day go down as the greatest halfback the game has ever seen.
When asked why he played off the bench for the first time in his first grade career, Cleary replied with a cheeky grin.
“Dad said, ‘because of your performance on Wednesday night, you’re starting off the bench’.”
The room erupted with laughter before Ivan added: “Yes, and I was going to make him play hooker too.”
Both men smiled.
However, I bet that Ivan as a father must’ve felt protective of his eldest son, listening to all the scathing criticism that Nathan couldn’t close out an Origin series.
Despite the smiles you could see that Nathan Cleary was still thinking about his performance in game three of Origin.
“I didn’t want to say this to Dad but I woke up still thinking about it this morning,” he admitted.
“I don’t know if you fully get over it, to be honest. But I came to the conclusion that the Origin performance was only going to help me grow as a person and a player. Playing today gave me the opportunity to test my character and I think that’s the important thing.
“You can only kick stones and feel sorry for yourself for so long.”
Right there, that response speaks volumes to Cleary’s character and why he is the best halfback, if not the best player in the game.
Process it, deal with it and move on. Become an even better version of yourself, become an even better player. Which he will.
The way Cleary also handled the booing from Parramatta fans whenever his face came up on the big screen at the stadium was also all class.
He listened and smiled but booing Nathan Cleary is tantamount to booing Santa Claus.
As Immortal Andrew Johns said on the Channel Nine commentary: “How can you boo Nathan Cleary? World’s nicest bloke!”
But people boo because the player is so good that they want to put him off his game. Rattle him a little in the hope it plays on his mind and affects his performance on the field.
It backfired on Eels supporters big time!
Cleary is too composed for those sort of silly mind games and he showed it by guiding the Panthers to a hard-fought 32-10 victory after only playing a total of 50 minutes of the
did it until they were well into their 30s. Even Cooper Cronk was in his late 20s before he ‘dominated’ the Origin arena.
Over the week, plenty of media scribes were questioning whether he should even be picked for Origin next year, while the trolls on social media had a field day.
I’ve never heard so much tripe said or written about a player in my whole life.
Nathan Cleary is not just a nice bloke. He’s also one bloody good rugby league player.
But I’ll let the final word go to his father and coach Ivan Cleary.
“I’m sure it will be easier for him to sleep after this game [beating the Eels] then it was on Wednesday night,” he said.
“He’s [bounced back] so many times over
with Peter Lang
Nathan Cleary on Sunday afternoon during the clash with Parrmatta. Photo: NRL Images.
DOLPHINS SHARKS PANTHERS RAIDERS
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ROOSTERS
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