Extra Time March 3

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LET’S GO! THE LONG, HOT SUMMER IS OVER. ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, PENRITH’S 2016 NRL CAMPAIGN GETS UNDERWAY WITH A TRIP TO THE NATION’S CAPITAL

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Thursday, March 3, 2016  the western weekender • extra time

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Tyrone Peachey in action against Canberra last season.

Photo: 77Media

1

Will Smith

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Josh Mansour Waqa Blake Peta Hiku Dallin Watene-Zelezniak Jamie Soward Peter Wallace Sam McKendry James Segeyaro Reagan Campbell-Gillard Bryce Cartwright Isaah Yeo Trent Merrin Tyrone Peachey Jeremy Latimore Suaia Matagi Elijah Taylor

the western weekender • extra time » Thursday, March 3, 2016

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MATCH PREVIEW

RAIDERS

TROY DODDS @troydodds

F

or the first time in what seems like forever, the Penrith Panthers will be forced onto the road for their opening round encounter of the NRL season – and the trip to Canberra is never an easy task.

Thankfully, visiting the nation’s capital is a little more comfortable for both players and spectators in the first week of March than it is come the middle of winter, however the bureau is predicting an unusually high temperature of 35 degrees for Saturday.

Like all round one matches, it’s hard to predict what will unfold when these two old rivals battle it out on Saturday, with both sides having plenty of reasons to be positive heading into the season.

The Raiders produced a little bit of a

surprise on Tuesday when they named Blake Austin to come off the bench, with Sam Williams and Aiden Sezer to partner in the halves.

Austin scored 14 tries last season, produced 16 line-breaks and was credited with seven try assists.

I was positive that he and Sezer would partner in the halves and offer Canberra stability in that pairing, but obviously coach Ricky Stuart has other plans.

While the Raiders lost a couple of handy players in David Shillington (Gold Coast), Mitch Cornish (Parramatta) and Josh McCrone (Dragons), the Raiders have kept a relatively similar squad to the one that Stuart started to build last year, adding Sezer as well as a handful of depth players.

At Penrith, there’s no surprise to see Jamie Soward and Peter Wallace named in the halves – the pair deserve the first shot despite pressure coming from elsewhere, and with Matt Moylan missing from this game there was really no way that Griffin could have taken the enormous risk of

handing Te Maire Martin his first grade debut in the opening round of the season.

It feels a little like the wheels have fallen off the Panthers bandwagon in recent weeks – the experts have written the team off, the TAB has them at considerable outsiders for this weekend’s game and fans seem a little uncertain about what will happen when the side hits the park on Saturday afternoon.

But there’s really no reason to doubt Penrith’s credentials this season. While the Moylan injury speedbump is not ideal, the Panthers still boast a dangerous backline that includes a rejuvenated Waqa Blake, who was without doubt the star of the pre-season, and new recruit Peta Hiku, who will be keen to prove those who lured him to the club right.

The backline is not quite what Anthony Griffin would have been aiming for a few weeks ago but it is still strong enough to get the job done – as long as Soward and Wallace control the show from the start and make an early impact on the match.

1

Jack Wighton

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Edrick Lee Jarrod Croker Joseph Leilua Jordan Rapana Sam Williams Aidan Sezer Shannon Boyd Josh Hodgson Frank-Paul Nuuausala Josh Papalii Elliott Whitehead Shaun Fensom Blake Austin Iosia Soliola Paul Vaughan Jeff Lima 18. Kurt Baptiste

Penrith’s forward pack is full of speed, talent and mobility – I can’t wait to see Bryce Cartwright and Tyrone Peachey in full flight this season, and Trent Merrin will add that grunt that the Panthers lacked at some stages last year.

This game really is a flip of the coin job – you have to throw trial form out the window and really, it comes down to who has handled the week best.

Tip: Panthers by 4.

Panthers v Raiders Saturday, March 5, 3pm Canberra Stadium Referees: Gavin Badger and David Munro Tickets: Ticketek.com.au

39

Thursday, March 3, 2016 « the western weekender • extra time

PANTHER RUMBLINGS with the Masked Panther

HALVES ON NOTICE » It was no surprise to see coach Anthony » Well done to everyone who was Griffin select Jamie Soward (pictured) and Peter Wallace in the halves for the opening game of the season against Canberra on Saturday. Despite all the talk in the pre-season, Griffin was always going to go with the veteran pair for the opening game. However, I’m hearing that both players have been told in no uncertain terms what is expected of them in 2016 and if they do fail to deliver in the early rounds, it wouldn’t surprise me to see one of the two dumped to reserve grade.

Pressure is a great thing but let’s hope both Soward and Wallace take it with both hands and have solid seasons. At their best, they can give the competition a real shake.

» The Masked Panther had reason to visit

Parramatta Leagues Club last weekend and they must be commended on how they present their merchandise store. It’s right in your face as you enter the club – and when I was there it was full of Eels fans buying jerseys and various merchandise. Compare that to Penrith, where they hand you a map and a compass upon arrival at the Leagues Club to help you find the merchandise shop. As I understand it new CEO Brian Fletcher is keen to see the store be moved back to a more prominent position – let’s hope this is the case sooner rather than later.

» The Masked Panther hears that long-

time ground announcer Scott McRae wasn’t invited to the club’s season launch last Thursday night. McRae is one of the true survivors at Panthers and given his longevity with the club, probably deserved an invite. He’s entering his 19th season at Penrith.

involved in putting together the promotional video for Penrith’s 2016 season. It’s a sensational video that really sends chills down your spine – especially if you’ve been a long-time Panthers supporter.

Even better, it’s narrated by the voice of rugby league himself, Ray Warren. If you haven’t seen it yet, pop onto the Panthers website. If it doesn’t get you pumped for the season ahead, nothing will.

» Congratulations to James Segeyaro,

who plays his 100th first grade game this weekend.

» Panthers have unveiled a new 1967

Commemorative Jersey – a proud celebration of the club’s 50th season. The front of the ASICS jersey features the Panthers 50th season anniversary mark and is adorned with the names of all those who played for the Panthers in the club’s inaugural season. Hertz once again features on the shoulders of the jersey while new sponsor VIA Careers appears on the lower back. The upper back of the jersey pays homage to the club’s history with all five Penrith Panthers logos, past and present, printed above the iconic OAK logo. The Panthers will wear the 1967 Commemorative Jersey in the club’s first home game of the season on Thursday, March 10, against the Bulldogs. You can pre-order the jersey now from the Panthers website or merchandise shop.

» Hard hitting former Panthers forward

Nigel Plum is still looking to play a role in the sporting world. I can reveal that he popped up at the Penrith Baseball Club on Tuesday night to give the sport a try.

Good luck Plummy!

» Former Panthers legend Brad Fittler

has gone on to great things in his career, but Channel Nine have surely gone too far by giving him is own camera! ‘Freddie Cam’ will be introduced as part of Nine’s NRL coverage this year. Fittler will be given free rein to wander anywhere and do anything. “We’re taking the leash off Freddie – literally. He’s getting his own camera, with no leads. Live television is about being unpredictable and dangerous, and they don’t come more unpredictable than Freddie,” said Nine’s Tom Malone.

» Panthers centre Waqa Blake has been

keeping in regular touch with his family who have been hit hard by the recent cyclone in Fiji. “My family got hit hard.

Their homes are damaged but a lot of other places got battered more. Thankfully everyone is safe,” Blake said.

» Former Panthers coach John Peard is

speaking at the Men of League Penrith’s season launch at St Marys Leagues Club today. Two former Panthers hookers in the shape of Kevin Kingston and Brad Drew are also part of the luncheon.

» Panthers coach Anthony Griffin has a

unique way of handling media enquiries when it comes to injuries. Rather than simply delegate the calls to the club’s media department, Griffin has requested he handles calls about injuries himself.

His new method was put to the test a couple of weeks ago when word started to spread that Matt Moylan had suffered a back injury. To his extreme credit, Griffin returned journalists’ calls and filled them in on all the details.

» Former Panthers coach Ivan Cleary cer-

tainly isn’t being lost to rugby league. You will see Cleary on Fox Sports throughout the year, plus he’s been doing some work with Rugby League Week.

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the western weekender • extra time » Thursday, March 3, 2016

FEATURE

Here comes

Waqa

NATHAN TAYLOR @natetaylor87

E

xciting Penrith Panthers centre Waqa Blake almost quit the game after enduring a tough early few weeks of pre-season.

With new coach Anthony Griffin working his troops to the bone, the 21-year-old contemplated giving it all away.

It was just too hard.

However as the weeks rolled on, things got better and Blake was slowly transforming into the powerful and explosive player fans had longed for.

Opening up to Extra Time, the Fijian product detailed the early struggles he faced when he showed up to pre-season well out of shape.

“At the start I was struggling a lot and I

even asked myself if I should be doing this at all. I didn’t feel like I had it in me but I kept pushing myself each week and slowly and slowly things got better,” Blake said.

“It was only my second NRL pre-season but I can safely say it was the hardest yet.

“I arrived overweight – 108kgs – but now I’m feeling good at 95kgs and playing a lot better.”

The transformation of Blake is something to admire and fans got a glimpse of his hard work and determination during successful stints at the Auckland Nines and pre-season trials.

After debuting last season to mediocre reviews, many pundits were impressed and albeit a little surprised with Blake’s recent form.

While he played 18 games for five tries during his rookie year, Blake admitted he never felt entirely comfortable in first grade.

Panthers centre Waqa Blake is looking better than ever. Photo Megan Dunn harsh critics but in good Fijian spirit, he took it all on the chin and decided to use his ‘haters’ as motivation to become a better man and player.

“When Hook came in he wanted to instil a toughness into us and that’s helped me out physically and mentally both on and off the field,” he said.

“I’m feeling a lot more confident now.”

“Last year when I got thrown in I was excited, I couldn’t wait to play but once I got out there I knew I wasn’t ready,” he said.

“I had a disrupted pre-season and then with all the injuries, the coach had no choice but to play me. It was a learning experience.”

Blake’s inexperience brought on some

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Thursday, March 3, 2016 « the western weekender • extra time

THE DREW REVIEW with Brad Drew

LET THE FOOTY BEGIN Welcome to my first column of 2016. It’s great to be on board with Extra Time this year.

Finally the footy season is upon us once again, and for me this means it is time to vacuum the man cave, stock up the fridge, kiss my wife and let her know I will back to normal at the end of September.

With the first whistle of the 2016 NRL season about to blow, I know exactly how the players would be feeling.

After you have endured a pre-season that prepares your body for the physical battles that lay ahead, now is the time excitement and nerves take over.

The players will also be preparing their minds for the mental challenges that await them on a week to week basis, and it is those with the strongest minds that will generally achieve success.

Penrith are without Matt Moylan (pictured) for the early part of the season and while it is a worry, I am more concerned about how the Penrith forwards will go up against the bigger packs in the competition. I won’t have to wait long until I get my answer because the Panthers take on the Canberra Raiders in the first round, and they have some absolute monsters in their pack!

I only make this point because I thought Parramatta dominated the ruck area in their recent trial against Penrith but it was only a trial and I am sure coach Anthony Griffin has made a note of it and it will be an area of improvement.

I will leave you with my top eight predictions for the 2016 season and you will note there are a couple of teams who have not been present during finals time for a number of years.

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the western weekender • extra time » Thursday, March 3, 2016

FEATURE

Finding the

magic

NATHAN TAYLOR @natetaylor87

T

he long and demanding preseason has finally come to an end but Penrith Panthers hooker James Segeyaro believes it’s just what he needed to get back to his best.

Like the Panthers in 2015, the 25-year-old’s season last year was one best left in the past after a range of injuries and setbacks resulted in missed time and opportunities.

But as the calendar turned over a new year on January 1, so did Segeyaro and his determination to reclaim his form from 2014 is as prevalent as ever.

“It’s been a long pre-season, a real tough one but also a real rewarding one at the same time,” Segeyaro told Extra Time.

“It was rewarding because I managed to complete every session in pre-season – I didn’t miss a single session – which brings confidence in myself knowing I’ve done the work and I can do my thing on Saturday against Canberra.”

With a new coach on board in Anthony Griffin, the former Cowboys hooker said he didn’t feel the need to impress the man known as ‘Hook’.

“I didn’t need to impress him, he knows what I can do,” Segeyaro said.

“From day dot he pretty much told me how he wants me to play, which is really good because you know where you stand.”

Segeyaro’s praise for Griffin is a far cry from the off-season rumoured rift between the pair.

“Griffo’s a straight shooter, which is awesome,” he said.

“When he tells you he doesn’t like something, you can work on that or if he tells

James Segeyaro wants to return to his best form this season. Photo: Megan Dunn you he likes something, you can improve on that.”

After a rough season last year, which resulted in just a handful of tries, Segeyaro believes Griffin will get the best out of him in 2016.

“I’ve changed a lot in the last 12 months, it’s just a matter of me doing what I need to do within the team,” he said.

“I definitely see myself as more of a leader and steering the boys around a bit better. If the team goes well, it will better my footy.

“I think that’s one of the things Hook’s drumming into us is giving yourself to the team. I think if 17 blokes go out there and be selfless, we’ll be very hard to stop.”

Segeyaro will play game 100 this week.

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Thursday, March 3, 2016 « the western weekender • extra time

Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

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TIPPING CHART 18 19 20

21

22

23

24

25

26

TOTAL

ROUND 1: MAR 3-7 Eels vs. Broncos Sea Eagles vs. Bulldogs Raiders vs. Panthers Tigers vs. Warriors Cowboys vs. Sharks Roosters vs. Rabbitohs Titans vs. Knights Storm vs. Dragons ROUND 2: MAR 10-14 Panthers vs. Bulldogs Broncos vs. Warriors Raiders vs. Roosters Rabbitohs vs. Knights Eels vs. Cowboys Sharks vs. Dragons Storm vs. Titans Tigers vs. Sea Eagles ROUND 3: MAR 17-21 Cowboys vs. Roosters Bulldogs vs. Eels Knights vs. Raiders Panthers vs. Broncos Titans vs. Tigers Warriors vs. Storm Dragons vs. Rabbitohs Sea Eagles vs. Sharks ROUND 4: MAR 25-28 Rabbitohs vs. Bulldogs Broncos vs. Cowboys Raiders vs. Titans Roosters vs. Sea Eagles Dragons vs. Panthers Warriors vs. Knights Tigers vs. Eels Sharks vs. Storm ROUND 5: MAR 31 - APR 4 Sea Eagles vs. Rabbitohs Titans vs. Broncos Stowm vs. Knights Tigers vs. Sharks Cowboys vs. Dragons Roosters vs. Warriors Eels vs. Panthers Bulldogs vs. Raiders ROUND 6: APR 7-11 Broncos vs. Dragons Rabbitohs vs. Roosters Eels vs. Raiders Warriors vs. Sea Eagles Panthers vs. Cowboys Sharks vs. Titans Knights vs. Tigers Storm vs. Bulldogs ROUND 7: APR 4-18 Sea Eagles vs. Eels Cowboys vs. Rabbitohs Titans vs. Dragons Bulldogs vs. Warriors Broncos vs. Knights Raiders vs. Sharks Tigers vs. Storm Roosters vs. Panthers

ROUND 8: APR 22-25 Broncos vs. Rabbitohs Bulldogs vs. Titans Raiders vs. Tigers Cowboys vs. Eels Sharks vs. Panthers Knights vs. Sea Eagles Dragons vs. Roosters Storm vs. Warriors ROUND 9: APR 28 - MAY 1 Rabbitohs vs. Tigers Eels vs. Bulldogs Panthers vs. Raiders Roosters vs. Knights Sea Eagles vs. Cowboys Warriors vs. Dragons Titans vs. Storm Sharks vs. Broncos ROUND 10: MAY 12-16 Dragons vs. Raiders Eels vs. Rabbitohs Panthers vs. Warriors Storm vs. Cowboys Sea Eagles vs. Broncos Knights vs. Sharks Tigers vs. Bulldogs Titans vs. Roosters ROUND 11: MAY 19-23 Rabbitohs vs. Dragons Cowboys vs. Broncos Tigers vs. Knights Warriors vs. Raiders Sharks vs. Sea Eagles Panthers vs. Titans Bulldogs vs. Roosters Eels vs. Storm ROUND 12: MAY 27-30 Broncos vs. Tigers Dragons vs. Cowboys Raiders vs. Bulldogs Knights vs. Eels Byes: Panthers, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Sea Eagles, Sharks, Storm, Titans, Warriors STATE OF ORIGIN : JUN 1 New South Wales v Queensland ANZ STADIUM ROUND 13: JUN 3-6 Raiders vs. Sea Eagles Warriors vs. Broncos Cowboys vs. Knights Storm vs. Panthers Roosters vs. Tigers Rabbitohs vs. Titans Bulldogs vs. Sharks Byes: Dragons, Eels ROUND 14: JUN 9-13 Broncos vs. Raiders Tigers vs. Rabbitohs Knights vs. Warriors Eels vs. Titans

ROUND 14: JUN 9-13 (CONT) Roosters vs. Storm Sea Eagles vs. Panthers Dragons vs. Bulldogs Sharks vs. Cowboys ROUND 15: JUN 17-20 Rabbitohs vs. Eels Dragons vs. Storm Warriors vs. Roosters Titans vs. Sea Eagles Byes: Broncos, Bulldogs, Cowboys, Knights, Panthers, Raiders, Sharks, Tigers STATE OF ORIGIN II: JUN 22 Queensland v New South Wales SUNCORP STADIUM ROUND 16: JUN 24-27 Panthers vs. Rabbitohs Knights vs. Dragons Sharks vs. Warriors Bulldogs vs. Broncos Titans vs. Raiders Storm vs. Tigers Cowboys vs. Sea Eagles Byes: Eels, Roosters ROUND 17: JUN 30 - JUL 4 Roosters vs Bulldogs Broncos vs. Storm Warriors vs. Titans Tigers vs. Panthers Sharks vs. Eels Raiders vs. Knights Rabbitohs vs. Cowboys Sea Eagles vs. Dragons ROUND 18: JUL 8-11 Eels vs. Roosters Bulldogs vs. Tigers Panthers vs. Sharks Raiders vs. Cowboys Byes: Broncos, Dragons, Knights, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Storm, Titans, Warriors STATE OF ORIGIN III: JUL 13 New South Wales v Queensland ANZ STADIUM ROUND 19: JUL 15-18 Dragons vs. Titans Sea Eagles vs. Warriors Rabbitohs vs. Broncos Knights vs. Storm Panthers vs. Eels Roosters vs. Sharks Byes: Bulldogs, Cowboys, Raiders, Tigers ROUND 20: JUL 21-25 Cowboys vs. Bulldogs Broncos vs. Panthers Raiders vs. Warriors Titans vs. Eels Storm vs. Roosters Sharks vs. Knights

ROUND 20: JUL 21-25 (CONT) Dragons vs. Tigers Rabbitohs vs. Sea Eagles ROUND 21: JUL 28 - AUG 1 Bulldogs vs Dragons Cowboys vs. Storm Eels vs. Tigers Rabbitohs vs. Raiders Roosters vs. Broncos Sea Eagles vs. Knights Titans vs. Sharks Warriors vs. Panthers ROUND 22: AUG 4-8 Dragons vs. Broncos Eels vs. Sea Eagles Knights vs. Bulldogs Panthers vs. Roosters Sharks vs. Raiders Storm vs. Rabbitohs Tigers vs. Cowboys Titans vs. Warriors ROUND 23: AUG 11-15 Broncos vs. Eels Bulldogs vs. Sea Eagles Dragons vs. Sharks Knights vs. Panthers Raiders vs. Storm Roosters vs. Cowboys Tigers vs. Titans Warriors vs. Rabbitohs ROUND 24: AUG 18-22 Broncos vs. Bulldogs Cowboys vs. Warriors Knights vs. Titans Panthers vs. Tigers Rabbitohs vs. Sharks Raiders vs. Eels Roosters vs. Dragons Sea Eagles vs. Storm ROUND 25: AUG 25-29 Bulldogs vs Cowboys Eels vs. Dragons Knights vs. Rabbitohs Sea Eagles vs. Raiders Sharks vs. Roosters Storm vs. Broncos Titans vs. Panthers Warriors vs. Tigers ROUND 26: SEP 1-4 Broncos vs. Roosters Bulldogs vs. Rabbitohs Cowboys vs. Titans Dragons vs. Knights Panthers vs. Sea Eagles Storm vs. Sharks Tigers vs. Raiders Warriors vs. Eels QUALIFYING SEMI-FINALS: 9-11 SEP

the western weekender • extra time » Thursday, March 3, 2016

TIPPING CHART

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NEW ERA IS UNDERWAY Footy season has come around again and here at the Panthers we can’t wait for kick-off. 2016 is going to be a special season – a memorable chapter in the club’s history.

Ivan Cleary did a tremendous job building our talented roster and now Anthony Griffin has given this team all the tools they need for success. It has been a long pre-season and Hook has made sure the players are as prepared as they can be, physically and mentally, for the challenge ahead.

No doubt the away trip to Canberra will be a huge test for our guys on Saturday. Plenty of punters are predicting the Raiders will be a surprise packet this year after some impressive recruitment during the off-season.

We’re missing our new skipper Matt Moylan but I know Will Smith will do a great job at the back after impressing in that role late last season.

History and tradition are vitally

important in every club’s culture. Here at the Panthers we take real pride in where we’ve come from and what we’ve achieved.

This 2016 season will be a celebration of everyone who has ever pulled on that jersey, cheered on a victory, or shared in the disappointment of a defeat. We will acknowledge our players and achievements of the past while also looking to the bright future that lies ahead.

We’ve released our 1967 Commemorative Jersey and will pay tribute to our players from that very first season at our Round 2 home game against the Bulldogs. We’ve also got some exciting initiatives planned to honour our 1991 and 2003 premiership-winning sides.

Make no mistake the Panthers want to make a mark on the competition in the club’s 50th season.

The players know it’s time for them to realise their full potential and perform.

See you at Pepper Stadium!

PANTHERS BULLDOGS

48

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Trivia

How would you like to win tickets to Penrith’s opening home game of the season against the Bulldogs next Thursday night?

It’s time to test your Panthers knowledge – simply send your answers to info@westernweekender.com.au with ‘Panthers’ in

Round 1 Eels v Broncos Thursday, March 3, 8.05pm @ Pirtek Stadium

the subject line. All entries with 10 correct answers will go into the draw to win a double pass to next Thursday night’s game against Canterbury at Pepper Stadium.

Authorised under NSW Permit Number LTPM/16/00054.

Ê In what year did the Panthers enter the first grade competition?

Sea Eagles v Bulldogs Friday, March 4, 8.05pm @ Brookvale Oval Raiders v Panthers Saturday, March 5, 3.00pm @ Canberra Stadium Tigers v Warriors Saturday, March 5, 5.30pm @ Campbelltown Stadium

Ê Who has played more first grade games for Penrith – Greg Alexander or Luke Lewis?

Cowboys v Sharks Saturday, March 5, 7.30pm @ 1300 Smiles Stadium

Ê Who is the only player to have scored five tries in one game for Penrith?

Roosters v Rabbitohs Sunday, March 6, 4.00pm @ Allianz Stadium

Ê How many grand finals has Penrith appeared in? Ê In which year did Reagan Campbell-Gillard make his first grade debut?

the western weekender • extra time » Thursday, March 3, 2016

Panther

EXTRA FUN

Titans v Knights Sunday, March 6, 6.30pm @ Cbus Super Stadium

Ê Which club did new recruit Peta Hiku play with before coming to Penrith?

Storm v Dragons Monday, March 7, 7.00pm @ AAMI Park

Ê Penrith has had two Australian Test captains. Craig Gower and who else? Ê Greg Alexander won the Dally M Medal in which season?

Extra Time Issue Number 2016-01

Ê What was the score in the 2003 Grand Final between the Panthers and the Roosters?

PRODUCED BY The Western Weekender EDITOR Troy Dodds / 4722 2998 / troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au

Ê Which NSW country area will Penrith take a home game to this season?

CONTRIBUTORS Nathan Taylor / Brad Drew / Mark Hughes / Masked Panther SALES MANAGER Simon Gould / 4722 2998 simon.gould@westernweekender.com.au

Photo: Regan Campbell-Gillard

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49

INTIMACY CLINIC For Couples

Âť Intrust Super Premiership NSW:

Earlier this week NSWRL CEO David Trodden launched the 2016 season with the announcement of Intrust Super as the new naming rights sponsor of the state’s premier competition for the next three years.

The competition, formerly known as the NSW Cup, will now be known as the ‘Intrust Super Premiership NSW’ until the end of 2018.

Meanwhile, after bowing out in straight sets in last year’s finals, the Panthers have re-tooled in the off-season with a brand new coach and host of new faces.

Steve Georgallis takes the reigns from Garth Brennan and has named a very strong line-up to take on Mounties this Saturday afternoon in Canberra.

Super kid Te Maire Martin will join fellow new recruit Sam Clune in the halves while former AFL star Josh Hall, Andrew Heffernan, Sitaleki Akauola, Ben Garcia, Zach Dockar-Clay and Viliame Kikau will make their official club debuts.

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Phone 4721 4263 for a personal and confidential appointment

Âť Holden Cup: Penrith Panthers Holden

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Cup coach Cameron Ciraldo has named a near full strength side to take on the Raiders this Saturday morning in Canberra.

Last year’s NYC premiers will go into this season as firm favourites with many of their Grand Final players still eligible to play in 2016.

After missing out on last year’s Grand Final due to representative duty, halfback Nathan Cleary will re-join the side

along with centre Robert Jennings, lock Tyrone May, backrower Reed Izzard, and 2015 Jack Gibson Medallist and hooker Soni Luke.

The only blow for Penrith is they’ll be without their key forward and captain Oliver Clark for the next few weeks after he injured his ankle at training.

Âť Ron Massey Cup: New Ron Massey

Cup side St Marys will battle local rivals Blacktown Workers in the opening round of the competition this Saturday evening at St Marys Stadium.

Coached by Extra Time columnist and former Panthers and Eels hooker Brad Drew, St Marys will be captained by recently retired Panther Nathan Smith and feature a number of familiar faces including Tom Eisenhuth and Geoff Daniella.

Âť

SG Ball: Round 3 of the SG Ball competition took place last Saturday with the Panthers defeating Cronulla 28-18 at Windsor Sporting Complex.

Penrith, who sit in third-place undefeated, will take on the competitionleading Illawarra Steelers this Saturday afternoon in St Marys.

Âť Harold Matthews: Round 3 of the

Harold Matthews competition took place last Saturday with Penrith and Cronulla sharing the points after a hard fought 28-all draw.

Penrith, who sit in 14th place, will take on the seventh-placed Illawarra Steelers this Saturday afternoon in St Marys.

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