KEEPING THE FAITH
PHOTO SPECIAL: PAGE 31
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PANTHERS FANS ARE DARING TO DREAM OF A FIFTH PREMIERSHIP, AND ARE STILL SHOWING UP WITH PRIDE
MORE THAN JUST A GAME analysis
Rugby league players are modern-day heroes to many children and adults and they brighten the lives and lift the spirits of so many people especially those who are sick and in need of a boost.
Today, I’d like to tell you about two Panthers supporters whose lives were taken too soon, one a little eight-year-old boy called Tommy and his grandfather Stanley.
Little Tommy was born in February 2016 and supported the Penrith Panthers from the day he was born. With his grandfather Stanley being a crazy Panthers supporter his whole life, Tommy had no choice.
One of Tommy’s mums Amanda Adams-Bennett remembers Tommy playing football in the backyard with his older brother Lachie whilst growing up.
“One was usually Nathan Cleary and the other Brian To’o,” said Amanda.
“Tommy’s first ever shirt has Cleary’s name printed on the back.”
Along with his grandfa-
ther Stanley, who wore a Panthers shirt nearly every day, the Adams-Bennett family were enjoying the top year their favourite team were having until their whole world changed.
“On September 12 2023 Tommy was diagnosed with DIPG,” recalls Amanda.
The whole Penrith community got behind Tommy and when word reached the Panthers club, a special visit was organised to see little Tommy. Despite being on steroid treatment at the time, the smile could not be wiped from Tommy’s face.
“DIPG / DMG is a rare cancer with limited funding compared to other cancers, they call it ‘rare’ in our country as it affects around 25 children a year.
“It’s a cancer that has no real treatments, no option for surgery to try and remove part or all of the tumour due to the significant risks involved and there’s no cure.”
That day he met his hero Nathan Cleary and several other Panthers players including Luke Garner, Mavrik Geyer and Sunia Turuva. He was excited the whole day that he got to meet his heroes in person. For nearly a year Tommy underwent a variety of treatments and procedures before the DIPG brain tumour finally took his life.
“Tommy fought for 10 months, never really complained, and took everything in his stride, despite the cancer stealing so much from him,” said Amanda.
Tragically at Tommy’s funeral, less than two weeks later, Tommy’s grandfather Stan suddenly collapsed.
“Despite the best efforts of everyone there, my dad died of a sudden cardiac arrest,” remembers Amanda.
But only after he said goodbye to his beloved grandson.
“My dad, Stanley Adams, had been a crazy Panthers supporter for over 50 years, so much so, that using the Panthers colours was a prerequisite for his funeral notice.”
It’s amazing how a sport and a rugby league team can bring so such joy to its supporters even in the toughest moments in life.
To little Tommy and his grandfather Stan, the Penrith Panthers were their heroes but if you ask me the real heroes are boys like Tommy.
Let’s also not forget the
other real heroes in all of this. Tommy’s amazing parents, Amanda and Danielle and their other son Lachie.
One gets the feeling that every time the Panthers run out onto the field, there are two very special supporters, angels named Tommy and Stan, always watching and cheering them on from above. Please support RunDIPG at https://rundipg.org or phone 0456 385 903.
Stanley Adams.
A special visitor.
A day that will never be forgotten.
with Peter Lang
panther rumblings
PETE GRAHAM GOING NOWHERE
! Chairman to run again: Panthers Chairman Peter Graham has no intention of following CEO Brian Fletcher out the exit door at Panthers. I can confirm he wants to continue on beyond the 2026 Board elections. But he may have some competition looming – there’s constant speculation at the moment that there will be plenty of hands up for Board positions when members get the opportunity to vote early next year. As we know from the past, anything can happen at Board elections – Dave O’Neill was rolled as Chairman in 2022 despite the club having just won the Premiership.
! Outsider looms as Fletcher replacement: Penrith will maintain that internal candidates are a strong possibility for the CEO role when Brian Fletcher vacates the building in March next year. But I’m told it’s highly likely the club will recruit from outside and have a fresh start. There’s a handful of people inside the club who would likely consider themselves a shot and will probably go through the formal application process.
! Scoop confirmed: I wrote earlier this year that a high profile Panthers executive would be standing down this year. It was of course Brian Fletcher. The rumours about his departure have been around for some time.
! Smith’s Blues call-up: Lindsay Smith was a shock call-up into the New South Wales squad for Origin II in Perth. He’s unlikely to play but after his experience with the Kangaroos last year, it’s a great opportunity to be in the Origin environment. Dylan Edwards, Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o, Nathan Cleary and Liam Martin of course retained their spots in the Blues’ side when it was announced earlier this week. Presuming Smith doesn’t play, he will travel to New Zealand and play against the Warriors on Saturday week for Penrith.
! Rumblings over women’s facilities: One rumour that won’t go away at Panthers is that there’s a split in the camp over investment in the women’s program. Some are behind building a women’s academy that would cost north of $20 million, while others are suggesting the club is not in a financial position to do so. It has the potential do some real damage if the rumblings get worse.
! Brothers forever: It was the shot everyone wanted and Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai certainly gave the photographers what they craved after full-time last Sunday. The friends turned on-field foes had a long conversation after the game, embracing and joking with each other. The two sides meet again this season – no doubt Luai will be hoping to even the ledger after the Panthers got the chocolates.
! Spotted: Former Panthers five-eighth James Maloney sharing a laugh with Melbourne Cup winning jockey Glenn Boss as the guest speakers at Brothers’ annual luncheon last Friday. Maloney was in fine form sharing tales from his rugby league career.
! Spotted: Old mates Nathan Cleary and Api Koroisau em bracing at the coin toss before last Sunday’s game (right).
! McRae returns – kind of: Panthers fans in attend ance at CommBank Stadium last Sunday would have got a blast from the past when Scott McRae’s voice boomed over the speakers. The veteran Penrith ground announcer is back in the game with the Tigers, and is his old cheeky self. Penrith have been intent on a more professional yet bland approach to the ground announcing in recent years. It’s got noth-
ing on the
! Expensive night out: The Bulldogs may have opened up $10 tickets at Accor Stadium twice this year, winning praise in rugby league circles, but Dogs fans will get no such joy when they travel to CommBank Stadium to meet the Panthers later this month. An adult ticket in the Bulldogs supporter bay is $65. A platinum grandstand seat will set you back $115.
! Podcast: Don’t forget that the Weekender’s Troy Dodds and Nathan Taylor jump behind the microphone every week to present the Tension’s Running High podcast. New episodes drop on Wednesdays. Western Weekendwherever you listen to podcasts or head to www. westernweekender.com. au/podcast. Make sure you hit subscribe!
fun a parochial ground announcer like McRae can bring to the table.
Peter Graham.
FANS SHOW THEIR PANTHER PRIDE
It’s been an up-and-down year for Panthers fans, but they’ve kept a smile on their face –most of the time at least!
Here’s some of our best fan shots taken so far this year...
Tries: T Jenkins 3 Goals: N Cleary 3/4
Tries: D Laurie 2, J McLean, J Cole, S Lane Goals: P Alamoti 3/5
Tries: T Patea 2, J Attard Goals: J Liddiard 2/3 Missed last week’s results? Here’s a rundown of what happened in
Tries: M Jennings 2, C Clarke, S Huen, L Azile-Foliola, F Howarth Goals: D Brettle 4/6
Tries: S To’a, S Turuva, J Skelton Goals: A Doueihi 1/3
Tries: S Pio, I Ogden, P Makatoa Goals: M Stimson 2/3
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SHARKS SEA EAGLES ROOSTERS DOLPHINS BULLDOGS
SHARKS SEA EAGLES ROOSTERS COWBOYS BULLDOGS
SHARKS SEA EAGLES ROOSTERS DOLPHINS RABBITOHS
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DRAGONS
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