BACK BATHURST
PANTHERS COACH IVAN CLEARY TAKES HIS SIDE TO BATHURST TO KICK-OFF AN ORIGIN PERIOD THAT COULD DEFINE THE SEASON. FIRST UP: THE TROUBLED NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS. MATCH PREVIEW: PAGES 30-31. INSIDE: SEE HOW
Pthe finalword
enrith head back to Bathurst this Saturday without a string of top-line stars, taking on a Newcastle side that is slipping deeper and deeper into the rugby league abyss every week.
The Panthers will be without Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo for Saturday evening’s clash, and while Ivan Cleary has had to navigate such representative pressures before, he’s traditionally done so with a few more competition points in the bank than he has now.
If Cleary can guide Penrith through this Origin period unscathed and have them finish higher on the ladder than where they are as you read this (13th), then it will be among his greatest regular season achievements.
The Knights are also slightly impacted by Origin with captain Kalyn Ponga unavailable this week due to Maroons selection. Newcastle
will miss his effort, but it has to be said he’s been below his best this year – despite trying his backside off every week.
Newcastle come into this match in 15th spot with just three wins this season and the worst attacking record in the competition. They aren’t in a good spot at the moment, and Ponga and coach Adam O’Brien admitted as much in the post-match press conference last week following their loss to Parramatta.
And with O’Brien tinkering with the team’s halves again (an issue throughout the 2024 season), it’s questionable if things will get better for Newcastle any time soon. Las Vegas and Dylan Brown can’t come quickly enough.
But they’d give themselves a shot this Saturday given the amount of cattle Penrith have missing.
The Panthers are already suffering in terms of depth and inexperience, and it will be
amplified on Saturday. But this is certainly the opportunity for this young squad to step up and stamp their authority – to show that they’re not the also-rans of this era, but valuable contributors.
And while most of those called up this week have started to build their experience and confidence, perhaps it’s been a little intimidating to do it with the club’s stars largely still there.
In other words, filling in here or there when a player is out is vastly different to a collective group coming together for a mission all at once, and that could work in the side’s favour.
Penrith need a game where they can tighten up their defence. They’re still leaking way too many points, exemplified by the 30 they conceded against the Cowboys a fortnight ago.
Penrith conceding 30 points at any point over the last five years would have been extraordinary, now it’s happening regularly.
With all due respect to the Knights, this is a good opportunity to fix some of those issues. The Knights hardly set the world on fire in attack so it’s a chance to put up the brick wall and get some confidence.
It goes without saying that some of Penrith’s more experienced players need to step up into leadership roles this weekend. The likes of Mitch Kenny and Moses Leota. Those guys need to lead the way and then those called in for back-up can ease into the match.
Ultimately this Origin period will make or break Penrith’s season. It is not as comfortable as it once was. But with challenge comes opportunity, and if the Panthers can get through this – who knows what might be next.
The result here could be more about Newcastle’s story than that of Penrith. They’re in a world of pain and I can’t see things turning.
Tip: Panthers by 20.
BELINDA SHARPE | BUNKER: ASHLEY KLEIN
Graphic by Zoe Merrick.
panther rumblings
NSW IN THE BLUES MOUNTAINS
! Blues head to Mountains: The New South Wales Origin side is back in the Blue Mountains as they replicate much of the training set-up from last year’s series win. Our cameras captured Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary as he arrived for training at Blue Mountains Grammar School yesterday. The Blues will train there again over coming days. Laurie Daley has his side travelling to Brisbane on Sunday ahead of next Wednesday’s series opener. There’s plenty of media opportunities, but one player you won’t be hearing from is former Panther Spencer Leniu. He’s on a media ban following his recent confrontation with Queensland great Johnathan Thurston.
! Stadium naming rights: Work has commenced on finding a naming rights partner for the new Penrith Stadium for once it opens in 2027. BlueBet, which sponsored the stadium most recently, won’t return. In fact you’d doubt heavily the State Government would do a deal with any gambling company now that it owns the venue – it’s just not a good look. It’d be awesome for a company with deep Penrith connections to nab the naming rights, but given the hefty price tag it’s likely to be a national or international name.
! Careful, Kamper: We’ve noticed the constant comments from Sports Minister Steve Kamper about the new Penrith Stadium being “more than just a stadium”, pushing the fact the venue will be something of a community hub and home of entertainment. All that is well and good, but Kamper and the State Government need to be mindful of their approach here. You’re building a stadium that will primarily be used as the home of a football team that this community loves and cherishes, and has done so for more than half a century. It’s OK to be parochial about that –and proud that you’re building the new home of the Panthers. The last thing you want to do is alienate Penrith fans from their own venue and feel it’s not the home of their footy club. If that happens, they may stay away more often than you’d like.
! Stadium progress: Still on the stadium and progress is starting to be made on tearing down the iconic Western Grandstand. Over the last couple of weeks, all of the remaining famous red seats have been removed while the old Chairman’s Lounge has been gutted, along with the media boxes.
! Boys take a break: Ivan Cleary gave his players some much needed relaxation time over the bye weekend, ahead of what will be an ‘all hands on deck’ Origin period for those
with the task of holding down the fort while the likes of Isaah
Nathan
Brian To’o, Liam Martin and Dylan Edwards are away. Mitch Kenny and Izack Tago took the opportunity to head to the Northern Territory
– getting up close and personal with crocodiles in the process.
! Vossy’s Chinese odyssey: Fox League broadcaster Andrew Voss is off to Bathurst this Saturday to call the Panthers v Knights clash. He’ll be heading home after the game but not before he tracks down a Chinese feed. He’s been using his breakfast radio show on SEN this week to take votes on the best Chinese restaurant in Bathurst.
! Spotted: ABC broadcaster John Gibbs hobbling into Campbelltown Stadium for last Sunday’s game between the Tigers and Rabbitohs after taking a tumble in the car park. He got on with the job as you’d expect.
! A bit rich: Which NRL club – and it’s not the Panthers – is pushing performance clauses into sponsorship contracts, aimed at getting more money out of corporate partners if the team makes the Finals or has a successful season? Not surprisingly, there’s no discount if the team fails to make the top eight or makes poor administration decisions off the field that tarnishes the club and its perceived value.
! Indigenous jersey revealed: The Panthers have revealed this year’s Indigenous jersey, which they’ll wear for the Round 24 clash against Melbourne at CommBank Stadium. The vibrant jersey sees a black base adorned by striking Indigenous artwork and symbolism in the Panthers colourway. There’s a couple of really cool inclusions too – including the handprints of Indigenous player Daine Laurie
and Indigenous Panthers staff member Taylah Murray featuring on the back.
! Love does funny things: Nathan Cleary’s partner Mary Fowler is ready to support the Blues this year, swapping her allegiances with Queensland for the upcoming Origin series. Cleary revealed this week that Fowler has requested a New South Wales jersey. No doubt he’ll be popping down to Australia Post pronto.
! Gus unblocks Editor: Former Panthers boss Phil Gould blocked Weekender Editor Troy Dodds on Twitter yonks ago, along with the Weekender itself. While the paper is apparently still in the bad books with Gus, he’s granted Dodds a reprieve. They’re pals again.
Yeo,
Cleary,
Nathan Cleary. Photo: Melinda Jane.
THE PANTHERS ARE FEELING BLUE
Panthers and Kangaroos captain Isaah Yeo has added yet another job to his ever-growing résumé, named the new skipper of the NSW Blues.
The 30-year-old four-time premiership winner will become the 22nd captain of the Blues when NSW battle Queensland in the State of Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday night.
Speaking with the media on Monday afternoon, Yeo revealed that he was enjoying Penrith’s bye week with family in Mudgee when Blues coach Laurie Daley phoned him with the good news.
“Laurie just gave me a call and let me know. I’m incredibly proud and really privileged to be in this role in such a wonderful side,” he said.
“I was lucky enough to tell my family there on the day and we kept it pretty hush hush for a couple of days until they announced the team.
I couldn’t be more thankful he’s entrusted me with this role.”
It’s not Yeo’s first leadership role with the Blues, he was vice-captain to then skipper Jake Trbojevic during last year’s series victory.
The proud Dubbo product praised
Trbojevic – who wasn’t selected in the team for Origin I due to concussion protocols – and the job he did last year.
“You never like seeing someone get injured in the NRL, but I just felt like the way he performed in this role last year… the way he led both on and off the field is such big shoes to fill.
That’s the role I have to try and take, I guess,” Yeo said.
“Jake did such a wonderful job, and we wouldn’t have had the success we had last year if he wasn’t our leader.
That’s up to me to try and make sure I’m doing my best and try and lead this successful campaign.”
Including the proud new skipper, the Panthers will have five players representing the NSW Blues next Wednesday night in Brisbane.
Penrith co-captain Nathan Cleary will make his return to the Origin arena after missing the entire series last year due to injury. He’ll be joined in the team by fullback Dylan Edwards, who will line-up in his third consecutive Origin game; winger
Brian To’o, who will play in his 13th Origin game; and backrower Liam Martin, who will also take on the Maroons for the 13th time.
“I’m absolutely pumped to be back in Camp… I’ve missed the last five [Origin] games [due to injury], so I’m super grateful to be back in this camp. Even putting on the gear is just a mad feeling. I’m really happy!”
Cleary told ‘NRL 360’ on Tuesday.
The two-time Clive Churchill Medallist will partner Parramatta’s Mitchell Moses in the halves for
the very first time. Cleary said he’s excited to help “bring out the best” in Moses, who helped guide the Blues last year.
“I’ve been a big admirer of Mitch for a long time now and understand the way he plays,” he said.
“The beauty of this combination is we both understand the game quite well. It’s about bringing out the best in my ‘6’ and that’s what I like to do – unlocking them so they can play their best game. I’m looking forward to doing that with Mitch.”
The Blues train in the Blue Mountains on Wednesday. Photo: Melinda Jane.
NATHAN TAYLOR
PROOF LURON HAS ‘MADE IT’
Young Panthers wrecking ball Luron
Patea got his first taste of unwanted fame recently when a bizarre rumour about his love life appeared on social media.
While the rumour was so far-fetched that it was 100 per cent fabricated, in a strange way it was a sign – albeit an odd one – that the 20-year-old had finally made it onto the rugby league scene.
Prior to his breakout game against the Broncos at Magic Round – a game in which he scored his first try – not many NRL supporters outside of the Penrith bubble knew the name Luron Patea.
But now more and more people are getting to
support of his more experienced teammates by his side.
“The boys talk to you about it… being on socials or being on your phone too much,” he said.
“It’s good having the boys around, having them talk you through it and talk about what they’ve been through. Taking what the boys are saying away has really helped me.”
Following the club’s first bye of the season last weekend, the Panthers will return to the paddock this Saturday evening when they face off with the struggling Newcastle Knights at chilly Carrington Park in Bathurst.
Penrith will go into the match as favourites despite having five players missing due to Origin commitments and several others sidelined due to injury and suspension.
know the former rugby union star and it’s not because of his fake off-field romance with a 78-year-old American billionaire heiress.
Speaking with Extra Time on Monday, Patea said he’s learning very quickly the positives and negatives of social media.
“I’m trying my best to not be on my phone, on socials, seeing all the comments and stuff. It’s hard to nowadays because everyone is on their phone and posting on socials, but I try not to be on my phone too much,” he admitted.
Like most rugby league players, the Panthers cop their fair share of good and bad on social media. The more famous and successful you get, the more a target you become.
Patea said he’s very grateful to have the
Patea said the bye came at a “good time” for the club following their disappointing draw against the North Queensland Cowboys in Round 10.
“Leading into Origin, it’s a good time to regroup and reset,” he said.
“It allows us to go over what we need to and what’s happened over the last couple of months – what we can take away and what we can use to put us in better positions to win games.”
Winning is of the utmost importance for the Panthers as they launch in to the second third of the season sitting in 13th place with three wins to their name.
Patea said it’s vital this week’s inexperienced outfit continue to keep the Panthers afloat
while their senior players are representing their State.
“Obviously it’s a big loss losing our senior players, especially our leaders in Yeoy and Clez, but we have that next man up mentality, and we just have to all back ourselves and come together like we did against Brisbane,” he said.
“There’s a lot of young boys in our team and when we get the opportunity from Coach it gives us confidence and it’s a good chance for us to go out there and showcase what we have individually and what we can do for the team.”
This Saturday’s match against the Knights is expected to be close to a sell out as the club’s beloved supporters out west make their annual pilgrimage to Carring ton Park.
Patea said he’s excited to play his first game in Bathurst, where the tempera ture at kick-off is expected to be below 10 degrees Celsius.
“I’ve never been to Bathurst, so I’m keen to see how many fans we have out there,” he said.
“Some fans out there can’t make it to every game, so that will fuel us to play better for our fans there. Hopefully we can get the job done.”
Luron Patea chatting with journalist Nathan Taylor. Photo: Melinda Jane.
Luron Patea in action against North Queensland. Photo: NRL Photos.
Luron Patea. Photo: Melinda Jane. NATHAN TAYLOR
panther memories
You can almost smell and feel Penrith Park of the 1990s in this photo. It was taken towards the end of the 1999 season, at Greg Alexander’s final home game against the Raiders.
A huge crowd has packed into the eastern stand – some with signs in tribute to ‘Brandy’, one of the club’s favourite sons.
One reads: “Thanks for all the years of excellent football. You have made Penrith and Australia proud”. Wouldn’t it be amazing to document the Panther-supporting journey of every fan captured in this shot?
(Photo thanks to NRL Photos)
footy club
The next time the Panthers team list comes out on Tuesday, make sure you take a careful look at the players listed 18-22 each week on the team sheet. I promise you’ll find some neat ‘easter eggs’ in each list.
For those who don’t know an ‘easter egg’ is an expression which means a ‘hidden surprise’. There is so much to see and discover in
this group of players. There are both experienced players and young players who are next in line listed and if you look carefully, you might even find the next big thing. Players on the extended bench are picked because they can be used at any time and rotated into the starting 17 at a moment’s
especially at training and can be inserted into the starting 17 at any time throughout the week.
Then, there is my favourite type of player, the ultimate ‘easter egg’, yes I’m talking about ‘the next big thing’.
the cusp of making his first-grade debut, his name is Billy Scott.
For those who don’t know Billy Scott is a talented hooker who is already signed until the end of 2027, such is the faith and expectation the club has on his potential.
If we look at some of the players selected on the extended bench during the first 10 games we can find examples of all the above examples.
The experienced player, Daine Laurie and Matt Eisenhuth lead this group as well as Brad Schnieder. They are usually first ‘cab off the rank’ when a player in the backline or forwards is injured or suspended.
You need experience in the team to steady the ship and not rock the boat.
The next wave coming through are players with some first grade experience but who also have the potential to become a regular first grader. Talent like Mavrik Geyer, Luke Sommerton and just recently Luron Patea and Casey McLean.
Then there’s my favourite type of player, the boom rookie. The rookie takes the form of a player who may not yet be ready for first grade but the club see he’s a potential first grade player and maybe even a star of the future.
Over the last 10 rounds one name stands out as a player who is on
He is seen by many in the club as Mitch Kenny’s understudy and the player who may eventually be his successor.
You see the ‘extended bench’ is more than just a list of names to be glanced over and ignored because most of the players get cut well before game day.
The extended bench represents a group of players who work their backside off every week to be ready to play first grade at a moment’s notice.
It represents a field of dreams for the next big thing and It rewards the player waiting for their next chance to play one more first grade game. While for Billy Scott, it means he is one more step closer to realising his dream of making his first-grade debut.
That’s right at Penrith you must ‘earn’ your starting 17 spot, it’s not just something which is given to you because like former Panthers player David Applebee once famously said;
“To be a Panther is an honour, a privilege… we don’t just let anyone bastard in.”
Matt Eisenhuth has proved a reliable back-up at Penrith.
with Peter Lang
