Photo: NRL Photos.
Ithe finalword
found myself casting my mind back to the 2016 Finals this week.
Allianz Stadium. The second Sunday in September.
An elimination final, won by Penrith 28-12 over Canterbury after the Bulldogs had led at half-time.
That game was a significant moment in defining the next decade for both clubs.
Penrith would go on to miss the Finals just once since, and of course have made five straight Grand Finals. It was an early sign that the sleeping giant at the foot of the Mountains was being awoken.
Canterbury – who were in their fifth straight Finals series and had made the Grand Final in 2014 – would fall out of the eight the next year and lose their way until a return to the Finals in 2024. It was the beginning of the end for that chapter of success for the Bulldogs.
Now it’s 2025.
Penrith’s re-build complete and holding up nicely.
Canterbury’s re-build shaky at times, but with positivity written all over it.
Nine years on from that showdown at Allianz Stadium, the two sides meet again and yet again the loser will be done for the season.
Only two players of the 36 who took the field that day will run out on Sunday.
They’re pretty decent names too. One Nathan Cleary, the other Isaah Yeo.
Everything else has changed.
Except the desire to win of course.
And the fact that Canterbury are perhaps at the start of a successful era, rather than at the end of one.
I thought the Bulldogs were impressive against Melbourne last weekend and certainly held their own despite losing skipper Stephen
Crichton in the first half. They were unlucky not to have been in the fight more.
Penrith had to fight hard against the Warriors but in the end just had too much class. We haven’t seen the Panthers in the second week of the Finals since 2021, so it’ll be interesting to see how they back-up after such an intense clash and plenty of travel.
The Bulldogs have been the story all week. Who will play, who won’t play. Toby Sexton’s incredible resurrection from the Belmore graveyard, to a potential Finals hero.
Meantime Penrith have just quietly announced a full-strength team for the first time this season. Imagine doing that in the second week of the Finals.
As much as there’s been so much attention focused on Canterbury, in some ways the pressure valve has been eased a little. Nobody is expecting them to win. Between injuries and
theories of self-sabotage, everyone seems to think the Dogs have run their race.
But that can be a scary proposition. This Bulldogs team with nothing to lose won’t go down without a fight.
The likely return of Mitch Kenny will be a critical inclusion for Penrith. They just lacked something without him last week and he will put some structure back into the side’s attack, especially getting out of trouble.
Again the kicking game of Nathan Cleary will be important. If he can control the momentum of the contest, you’d imagine it’ll be hard for the Bulldogs to find the field position to strike as often as they’ll need to.
With a huge crowd behind them, I expect the Bulldogs to start well and go with Penrith for much of the contest. But like in 2016, the second half will belong to Penrith. And so will a date with the Broncos. Tip: Panthers by 10.
BUNKER: CHRIS BUTLER
IT’S DO-OR-DIE IN NATION’S CAPITAL
Unless you’re heartless, or a Broncos fan, it would have been impossible to not feel sorry for Ricky Stuart and the Canberra Raiders last Sunday.
What an epic Final it was. One we’ll talk about for years to come.
The end result of it all is that Canberra, rather than having a week off, have to turn up again this Saturday night and face a Cronulla side buoyed by their impressive win over the Roosters last Saturday night. Cronulla will have plenty to say but this game is really all about Canberra.
It’s all about whether the Raiders can lift themselves off the turf after such a devastating loss and be focused enough to beat the Sharks and set a date with Melbourne at AAMI Park next Friday night.
Cronulla are simply there for the ride.
If Canberra have lost focus and motivation as a result of the loss to Brisbane, they are more than good enough to pounce and win the game.
But if the Raiders have picked themselves up and produce the kind of football they have for most of the
year, they should be too good here. And that is Ricky Stuart’s sole job this week: picking them up. Ricky knows what his side is capable of. We saw it for most of the game on Sunday.
This will all be about getting between the players’ ears and ensuring it sinks in. All about making them realise that last Sunday wasn’t an opportunity squandered, but their efforts through the season were an opportunity gained – a second chance.
I was impressed with Cronulla last week but a sold out GIO Stadium is very different to Shark Park. And despite coming into the game with all the momentum, the Roosters looked like a side that put the cue in the rack and decided Finals was enough after such a challenging year.
I don’t think Canberra will go out in straight sets.
They just need to make sure they come out and play their style of game, and don’t try to change too
Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes.
TROY DODDS
panther rumblings
FINALS FEVER HITS PENRITH
! Cash Cube’s Finals appearance: KIIS FM’s popular Cash Cube found its way to the Panthers Academy on Tuesday for the club’s Finals media session. It attracted the curiosity of plenty of the NRL squad – who all had a crack at guessing how much cash was in the cube. As it turns out, a big cash prize had been given away earlier that morning as part of the competition.
! Sunday shock: The Panthers weren’t consulted over the NRL’s plan to shift next week’s Preliminary Final in Brisbane to Sunday afternoon. The NRL has scheduled the match between Brisbane and either Penrith or Canterbury for Sunday, September 28. The move sees the NRL avoid the AFL Grand Final (which may include Brisbane) on the Saturday, plus cash in on the revived love for Sunday afternoon football. But it’s a curious decision given the significant ramifications. With the other Preliminary Final being held on the Friday night, one Grand Final team will have an extra two days’ preparation for the big game. The NSWRL Grand Final Day is also on at CommBank Stadium on the Sunday. Despite initial reports suggesting the NRL had liased with potentially impacted clubs, there was no conversation prior to the announcement on Monday.
! Grand Final wrap on sale: The Weekender has put its 2025 NRL Grand Final wraparound special edition on sale to advertisers. The wrap has become an institution in this period of success for the Panthers and a musthave collector’s item. Advertisers interested in jumping on board can email sales@westernweekender.com.au.
! Spotted: For a number of hours on Sunday night, the NRL’s website displayed the Panthers v Bulldogs game as being on both Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. Whoops!
! Hall of Fame additions: I’m hearing the Panthers will finally dust off the Hall of Fame as part of the club’s 60th anniversary celebrations next year. Nobody outside of the initial four inductees has been added to the Hall of Fame in a decade. As part of the celebrations next year, there’s every chance the total number could double.
! West ignored again: The NRL will again hold its Fan Fest at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney during Grand Final Week, despite calls for the celebrations to moved to western Sydney – the game’s heartland. Penrith Mayor Todd Carney penned an open letter
to the NRL last week calling for more events in western Sydney. Unless the NRL springs a surprise, its events will again be city-focused. It’s so short-sighted.
! Panther love spreads: They may have been across the Tasman but the respect and love for the Panthers was strong at Go Media Stadium on Saturday night. Despite the crowd heavily favouring the Warriors, Penrith players still spent plenty of time post-game signing autographs and taking photos with the crowd.
! Broncos to be favourites: The TAB is expected to install Brisbane as favourites to beat Penrith should the 2023 Grand Final combatants go head-to-head in a Preliminary Final next weekend. The Broncos have moved into the second line of Premiership betting at $3.60 following their epic win over the Raiders on Sunday. Penrith are $4.50 to win the comp.
! Shirtless Panthers: The Panthers didn’t release a Finals t-shirt this year, but plenty of their rivals did. You’ll probably see plenty of Bulldogs fans at Accor Stadium wearing their Finals 25 shirts, released via the club’s official channels last week. The Raiders released a Minor Premiers t-shirt, while the Storm and Broncos also have Finals shirts.
! To’o quiet: We hear Brian To’o hasn’t quite been himself after that storm in a teacup last week following the Merv Cartwright Medal. A couple of media outlets picked up on the story but the league world quickly moved on. But at Penrith’s media session during the week, a couple of people noted the usually fun-loving and unpredictable To’o was a lot quieter than normal and very reserved.
! Spotted: This cheeky Warriors fan with one of our favourite signs of the year.
The KIIS Cash Cube visits Panthers.
footy club
CRAZY TWIST IN ALAMOTI’S RETURN TO FIRST GRADE
Recalled Panthers winger Paul Alamoti has revealed the person that told him he’d be playing Finals football – Tom Jenkins.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary shocked the rugby league world last week when it was announced that Jenkins – one of the stories of the year – had been dropped from first grade after 21 matches.
In his place for Penrith’s Elimination Final against the New Zealand Warriors last Saturday was 2024 Grand Final hero Paul Alamoti.
The former Bulldog had played 16 games in first grade for Penrith this season, but for the majority of the year was coming in for Brian To’o due to injury or representative duty.
Many assumed the premiership-winning coach would continue to run with Jenkins and To’o on the flanks for the Warriors match in Auckland before he threw another ‘Cleary curve ball’.
Speaking with Extra Time on Tuesday, Alamoti revealed he initially
found out he was is Penrith’s Finals team via the man he replaced.
“He (Jenkins) was pretty much the first person to come and tell me that I would be playing,” Alamoti said.
“I have a lot of love for him. He’s had a stellar year and has pretty much been best on ground most games this year.
“I’m just happy I’m back in the arena and I’m grateful that coach has given me an opportunity.”
Things were looking grim for the 21-year-old Milperra Colts junior at times this year, unable to make his way into first grade despite being one of Penrith’s best in 2024 and scoring a try on Grand Final Day. Alamoti said being told by Cleary that he would be playing NSW Cup was tough to hear.
“It was a conversation that no player wants to go through, but I guess I’ve been there before when I was at the Dogs, so it was nothing new to me,” he said.
“I just knew how I could get myself back into the NRL squad by simply just training hard and playing good week in, week out. That was my mindset and focus the last two to three months.
“I probably wasn’t playing to the
standard I know I can play to. I trust that coach makes the right decision. I guess it was a blessing in disguise.”
Following strong performances against the Bulldogs (one try) and Dragons (two tries) at the backend of the season, Cleary was left with no choice than to consider Alamoti for Penrith’s must-win match against the Warriors last weekend.
“I felt a lot of joy when I was told I was back… I honestly didn’t expect it,” Alamoti said.
“‘Milky’ has been playing amazing since he first came in. When coach told me I was playing, I didn’t want to let him down and that was kind of the focus.”
Alamoti didn’t let Cleary down last Saturday in New Zealand, running for an impressive 161 metres and not missing a single tackle. He’s been named again for this Sunday’s do-ordie Final against his former club.
“It’s always a bit weird coming up against your old club,” Alamoti said.
“It’s a Finals game, a do-or-die situa tion and we’re playing to win.”
Raising the standard of home building.
We’r e pr oud to announce tha t Better B uilt H omes has been re c ognised at the 2025 HIA N orthern NS W H ousing and Kitchen & Bathr oom Aw ar ds, t aking home two pr estigious awar ds and being named finalists in two additional categories.
Paul Alamoti is back in first grade. Photo: Melinda Jane.
NATHAN TAYLOR
feature MOSES MILESTONE ON BIGGEST STAGE
Premiership-winning prop
Moses Leota will earn himself a slice of history this Sunday afternoon when he becomes just the 11th player to reach 200 games for the Panthers.
It’s a huge milestone for the 30-yearold St Marys junior, who made his debut against the Manly Sea Eagles midway through the 2016 season.
While Leota was only privy to just 10 minutes of action in his debut game, his time on the Brookvale Oval pitch was very impactful, with the youngster running more metres in 10 minutes (55 metres) than fellow prop Leilani Latu did in 53 (44 metres).
“I didn’t get much minutes but I felt like I went out there, done the job, and got the boys off on the front foot,” Leota told Extra Time after his debut.
“If ‘Hook’ (coach Anthony Griffin) gives me more minutes this week, I feel like I’ll really be able to progress my game and become a better player.”
Fast-forward nearly a decade later and Leota is one of the premier props in the competition – winning four straight NRL premierships and becoming the heart and soul of Penrith’s forward pack.
Not only is he averaging 104 running metres per game in his 10th season, but he’s also kept himself very fit and healthy – playing nearly every game in six of the past seven years.
Speaking with Extra Time day, Leota said he was proud to notch up the double century with one club.
“200 games is a massive milestone, especially for the one club,” he said.
“The plan was to play a few games if I could and I’m at 200 now, so I’m blessed.”
The only other current Panther to play 200 games is co-captain Isaah Yeo, who as of this week sits at an eye-watering 264 matches.
Leota said he has lots of special moments throughout his long and decorated career but it’s not hard to guess which ones are his favourite.
“All the Grand Finals… just all the rings we’ve got,” he admitted.
“Scoring a try in the 2023 Grand Final too.
“200 games for the one club is massive. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!”
The Panthers will celebrate Leota’s incredible milestone this Sunday afternoon when they do battle with the Canterbury Bulldogs at Accor Stadium.
A crowd upwards of 60,000 is expected for the blockbuster Semi Final, which will see one team advance to next week and one team bowing out.
Leota said he’s expecting plenty of fireworks this Sunday as both teams look to keep their 2025 Premiership hopes alive.
“It’s going to be tough. There’s going to be some emotion, but at the end of the day it’s another game and we just have to stick to the process and do what we do best,” he said.
Like over in Auckland last weekend, the Panthers will be the ‘away’ team for the contest. While Accor Stadium is no stranger to them, it’s expected Bull dogs fans will considera bly outnumber Penrith supporters on game day.
According to Leota, his side thrive off any type of crowd no matter whether
Moses Leota makes his debut in 2016. Photo: NRL Images.
NATHAN TAYLOR
scoreboard & fixtures
Missed last week’s results? Here’s a rundown of what happened in key Penrith Panthers games...
Tries: I Papali’i, C McLean, B To’o, B Schneider Goals: Cleary 2, Edwards 2
JERSEY FLEGG
Tries: N Murphy 4, D Wigmore, S Hansen Goals: Liddiard 3, Raven 1
Tries: L Halasima Goals: Boyd 2 PANTHERS 24 32 26 8 18 16
Tries: S Simon, C Garvie, B Darmody Goals: Darmody 3
NSW WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP
Tries: J Elford, G Edwards, N De Bruine, C Palliser, N Webb Goals: Blankenstein 3
Tries: H Lolotui 2, A El-Abdallah Goals: Mahakitau 2
panther memories
The Penrith Panthers were ‘back in black’ for the 2000 season, introducing a brand new jersey that totally re-shaped the club’s brand.
The Panthers had moved away from their traditional jersey and colours in 1997 when they joined Super League.
For the 1997, 1998 and 1999 seasons the team stuck with a black, white and red jersey that had little love from fans.
In 2000 they launched a ‘back in black’ campaign and released an almost entirely black playing strip, with red, white and teal stripes.
The club did not have a major sponsor for the 2000 season, so the jersey was particularly striking with no branding across the front.
By the time 2001 arrived, the Sanyo logo was displayed across the front.
While there’s been plenty of new jerseys, colour shifts and changes since 2000, the Panthers have largely stuck with black being their primary colour and theme ever since.
THE ART OF KEEPING US GUESSING analysis
lang on league
with Peter Lang
Just when you thought you had Panthers coach Ivan Cleary all worked out, he throws you another curve ball.
In fact, Cleary could excel in the sport of baseball, he has thrown so many unexpected curve balls in his 476 first grade game coaching career, you’d think we could pick them by now but nope, we still don’t see them coming.
The ‘informal’ dictionary definition of ‘curve ball’ is quite simply: something which is unexpected, surprising, or disruptive.
Some of coach Cleary’s curve balls over the last few weeks have had plenty of heat on them and they’ve definitely been unexpected, surprising and disruptive.
Let’s look at some of his most recent pitches. Now remember each swing and miss or pitch in the strike zone that isn’t swung at, counts as a strike.
Batter up!
It’s time to announce the team for the round 26 Bulldogs clash at Accor Stadium. Penrith are still a chance of making the top four and earning themselves a second chance in the 2025 NRL Finals series.
Surely, coach Cleary will name a full-strength team and try and go for that fourth spot. Sure, other results will need to go the Panthers’
player of the year
way but there’s still a good chance it can be done.
Team comes out at 4pm on Tuesday and Cleary chooses to rest 16 first grade starting players. You can hear the rugby league supporters and media all gasp in collective shock.
No coach has ever done this before, rest so many players all at once, it even has the big wigs at the NRL talking and calls for a future rule change so this can never happen again.
Strike one!
The Penrith team for the first elimination final is announced two
weeks later and this list is almost as surprising as the previous one. It contains two shocks so there’s a little more heat on this ball.
Not only is hooker Mitch Kenny out with a hamstring injury that no one knew about, but the surprise packet of the season, winger Thomas Jenkins is dropped from the side after a highly successful season and replaced by Paul Alamoti.
The ramifications of this surprise switch can be felt all around the rugby league world. I mean why would you replace a player who has kept the other bloke out of the team
for the majority of the season. It just doesn’t make sense.
But it’s a master stroke, Alamoti plays like a man possessed against the Warriors more than justifying his selection over the man they call ‘Milky’
Strike two!
Now it’s the day of the game. The first elimination final against the Warriors on their home turf. It’s one hour before the game starts and the final team sheet is released.
The pitcher readies himself to throw another curve ball.
The team list shows that halfback Brad Schneider will start the game at hooker while the Panthers NSW Cup Player of the Year and legitimate rake Luke Sommerton is relegated to the bench.
What? Sure, Schneider can defend but he throws a pass about as smooth as a cactus.
Once again it proves to be the right call and Penrith go on to win the match with Schneider even scoring a great opportunist try from dummy half.
Strike three! You’re out!!
Penrith win the game and advance to week two of the finals.
One can only wonder what coach Cleary will do when it’s time for him to step up to the plate and bat. I’m guessing he’s going to hit the ball out of the park and score a home run!
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary. Photo: NRL Photos.
THE GLITZ AND GLAMOUR OF PENRITH’S
he Merv Cartwright Medal is one of the big social nights of the year in Penrith. The team at PureLight Photography captured all of the glitz and glamour of a fabulous night...
Isaah Yeo and Ashleigh Camenzuli. Glenn Hawke did a tremendous job as MC.
Kevin Kingston and Matt Eisenhuth.
Casey McLean and partner Leila.
Scott Sorensen and Panthers CEO Matt Cameron.
Dylan Edwards with wife Nadine.
Brian To’o and wife Moesha.
Ivan and Bec Cleary.
BIGGEST NIGHT
Sponsors looking very glamorous on the black carpet.
Panthers Chairman Peter Graham.
Sponsors ready for a big night ahead.
Outgoing Group CEO Brian Fletcher.
Emma Lawrence arriving at the event.
Chloe Carter and Jye Campbell.
Liam Martin and Chelsea Leary.
Blaize Talagi arrives with his partner. Darcie Cartwright, Nathan Cleary and Michael Cartwright.
