FRI 11 JUL 2014 • Issue 019
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BACK ON TOP Panthers face Broncos after downing Tigers + PANTHER RUMBLINGS + LOWER GRADES + PANTHERS FLASHBACK + CELEBRITY TIPSTERS
300 not out
Brent Kite on footy, Penrith and his 300 NRL games p.5
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PENRITH PANTHERS
PREVIEW
Matt Moylan Josh Mansour Dean Whare Jamal Idris Kevin Naiqama Tyrone Peachey Jamie Soward Sam McKendry James Segeyaro Brent Kite Sika Manu Elijah Taylor Adam Docker Lewis Brown Jeremy Latimore Nigel Plum Bryce Cartwright
BRISBANE BRONCOS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Ben Barba Daniel Vidot Jack Reed Justin Hodges Dale Copley Josh Hoffman Ben Hunt Josh McGuire Andrew McCullough Corey Parker Alex Glenn Matt Gillett Sam Thaiday Ben Hannant Dave Hala Corey Oates Todd Lowrie
Matt Moylan will be a key player for the Panthers against Brisbane. Photo: Melinda Jane
No Wallace, no worries TROY DODDS
@troydodds
Penrith Panthers v Brisbane Broncos Kick-off: Mon 14/7 • 7PM Sportingbet Stadium Referees: Gavin Morris and Adam Devcich
Friday 11 July 2014 the western weekender
TV: Fox Sports Live 7pm Radio: Triple M Live 7pm
M
onday Night Football returns to Sportingbet Stadium this round with the top of the table Penrith Panthers playing their first home game in a month against the up and down Brisbane Broncos. Cold conditions will most likely greet the sixth placed Broncos, who are coming off a bye last weekend and an embarrassing loss to the lowly Sharks the week prior. Their season is very much at a crossroads and this road trip to the foot of the Mountains
will be seen as vital in getting things back on track for the run home, particularly after the Origin period. Penrith’s impressive 26-10 victory over the Wests Tigers last Sunday has come at a significant cost, with an ankle injury to halfback Peter Wallace robbing him of the opportunity to come up against his former club on Monday night. Losing Wallace is significant but the quality of Penrith’s attack this season means that the side can get by with just Jamie Soward calling the shots. Players like James Segeyaro, Elijah Taylor and Tyrone Peachey are doing an excellent job in the middle of the park, creating a platform for the forwards to gain plenty of metres and producing enough opportunities for the outside backs to pile on the points. This was most evident last weekend when both Segeyaro and Peachey took on playmaking roles when Wallace went off injured. Penrith’s chances of success on Monday night without doubt rely on quality performances from four key players. The first is Matt Moylan. After a debut season in which he created just as much
positivity as he did negativity within the fan base, Moylan has shown particular class this season and is in sensational form. He is becoming more confident under the high ball, and most impressive was his footwork in scoring Penrith’s first try last Sunday. Next up is Tyrone Peachey. When he came to the Panthers in the off-season, he declared he wanted to be the ‘x-factor’ in the Penrith squad, and he’s certainly made the most of every opportunity given to him by coach Ivan Cleary this year. Peachey is the kind of player you feel good paying to watch – he is energetic, surprising and always looking for an opportunity when he has his hands on the ball. He’ll be difficult to contain on Monday night. Next up is Jamal Idris. Things were looking a little shaky when Idris took time off to sort out some personal issues, but the last two weeks have proven that when Idris is in a good frame of mind, his football only gets better. He has been like a dog with a bone these past two matches and they’ve easily been his best games in Penrith colours. He will be an absolute terror on the left side of the field on Monday night.
Finally, Kevin Naiqama. He may be a surprising pick in the ‘key four’ this weekend but I think Naiqama proved last Sunday that he is well on his way to securing a permanent first grade spot and is not just warming the wing position for an injured David Simmons or Dallin WateneZelezniak. Naiqama has been on and off as far as his form this season, but was brilliant last weekend – he scored a magical try, showed some incredible footwork late in the game and was excellent under the high ball. Critics may want to question how Penrith got to first place, but the bottom line is that you don’t lead the competition after 17 rounds if you haven’t proven yourself in what is a tight, evenly contested competition. The one question I ask you when it comes to if Penrith deserve to be on top of the competition or not is this – who else is going better? You may say Manly and the Bulldogs, and you’d probably be right, but no other team in the competition is showing the consistency, the attacking flair or the defensive structure that Penrith has shown in the middle part of the season. Tip: Panthers by 16
CHEERLEADER OF THE YEAR
The lucky girl crowned the Extra Time Cheerleader of the Year will be featured on the cover of our final edition of the year, and gets a $1,000 JB Hi-Fi voucher thanks to the Penrith Homemaker Centre. Plus, the winning cheerleader gets 10 Hoyts movie tickets and a professional photo shoot with the Weekender photographer SMS cost is a maximum of 55 cents. The winner of tickets to the next Penrith Panthers home game is selected at random from all entries. This competition is run under NSW Permit No LTPM/14/00047. Full terms and conditions are available from www.westernweekender. com.au or from Western Weekender reception.
Occupation: Dance Teacher Favourite Panther: Josh Mansour If you could go on ANY reality show, which one would it be? ‘Dance Moms’ If you could take 3 things to a deserted island, what would you take and why? A cabana lounge for comfort, my phone to keep in touch with everyone and an endless supply of Maltesers to satisfy my sweet tooth Which celebrity would you like to take on a hot date? Cam Gigandet What’s your favourite pig-out spot? Mad Mex What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you whilst cheering/ dancing? Having a costume malfunction at one of my first games cheering as a Pantherette If you could morph into any animal, which would you choose and why? A flamingo because they are very social birds who spend most of their days eating and resting
VOTE FOR ALYSHA A: SMS ALYSHA TO 19 19 18
Alysha A, 23
Occupation: Quality Assurance Officer Favourite Panther: Jamie Soward If you could go on ANY reality show, which one would it be? ‘House Rules’ If you could take 3 things to a deserted island, what would you take and why? My laptop with unlimited battery and wi-fi with every movie created. I would also take my house and a friend, that way it’s like I’m on a holiday. Which celebrity would you like to take on a hot date? Channing Tatum What’s your favourite pig-out spot? Sushi Bay What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you whilst cheering/ dancing? Forgetting the routine while performing in front of hundreds of people in a competition If you could morph into any animal, which would you choose and why? I’d want to be a tiger because who wouldn’t want to be a tiger!
extra time
Each week, Extra Time profiles three cheerleaders from the Penrith Panthers cheer squad. Vote for your favourite for your chance to win two tickets to the next Panthers home game! Voting concludes at 11.59pm on Friday, July 18. The cheerleader with the most votes will progress through to the semi-finals later in the year, and have the chance to take out the ultimate prize!
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VOTE FOR AMY Z: SMS AMY TO 19 19 18
Amy Z, 22 Occupation: Dancer and Dance Teacher Favourite Panther: Elijah Taylor If you could go on ANY reality show, which one would it be? ‘Geordie Shore’ If you could take 3 things to a deserted island, what would you take and why? My boat so I can leave, a cocktail to keep me going and my dancing shoes so I can dance Which celebrity would you like to take on a hot date? Louis Tomlinson What’s your favourite pig-out spot? Nando’s What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you whilst cheering/ dancing? I broke my ankle whilst at a competition and had to be carried off the stage If you could morph into any animal, which would you choose and why? A unicorn to be able to be fast on land and in the sky
VOTE FOR NATALIE S: SMS NATALIE TO 19 19 18
Natalie S, 21
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FEATURE STORY
We’ll cope with Wallace out P enrith five-eighth Jamie Soward believes the club has the right tools in place to cover injured Panthers captain and Soward’s halves partner, Peter Wallace. The 28-year-old former Bronco and Penrith junior was injured early on during Penrith’s big win over the Wests Tigers last Sunday. According to club doctors, Wallace suffered a grade 3 medial ligament tear in his knee and also injured his ankle in the same incident. At best, he’s expected to miss the next six weeks. With Penrith’s NSW Cup side sitting on top of the table with 10 straight wins to their name, Soward believes coach Ivan Cleary has plenty of options available to fill Wallace’s big shoes. “I think we’ve got good depth in those positions,” he said. “Our NSW Cup team is going really well and we’ve got some guys in form there. We also have some other guys that can slot in.” Those ‘other guys’ include in-form Panthers fullback Matt Moylan, who is no stranger to a role in the halves, and utility forward Tyrone Peachey, who filled in for Wallace last Sunday. “It will be up to Ivan but Tyrone is a very
@natetaylor87
NATHAN TAYLOR
Jamie Soward believes the loss of Peter Wallace to injury will test the team’s resolve, but is confident they can overcome the setback as the road to the finals begins
Jamie Soward speaking to the media on Tuesday talented player,” Soward said. “You saw on the weekend he slotted in fine and we didn’t miss a beat too much. He can pretty much do anything he wants.” The combination between Soward and Wallace has been one of the biggest factors of Penrith’s success on the field this season.
Soward said the loss of Wallace will test Penrith’s resolve, individual players included. “We have an important month coming up without our captain,” he said. “I don’t think my role will change too much. I’ll probably have to call a few more sets and take on a bit more responsibility when we have the ball in attacking sets.”
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FEATURE STORY
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NATHAN TAYLOR
@natetaylor87
As rugby league deals with more off-field drama involving its players, Brent Kite has revealed he too was headed down a dangerous path before turning his life and career around
ou wouldn’t believe it but one of the game’s gentle giants and most professional footballers around was once a self-confessed troublemaker off the field. Panthers veteran Brent Kite, who became just the 20th player in the history of the game to reach the 300-game milestone last Sunday, has revealed he was once a ‘bad boy’ off the field and that his belief in God tuned his life around. Before joining the Dragons, Sea Eagles and now Panthers, Kite was a Canberra Raiders junior having grown up in the nearby country town of Queanbeyan. Last week the 33-year-old opened up on how finding faith earlier in his career kept him on the straight and narrow to become one of the game’s longest serving participants. Kite said his faith gave him a moral compass which allowed him to live by a set of ideals which helped him grow up. The admission came as rugby league was still trying to deal with the fallout of the Todd Carney scandal. “I’ve come a fair way. I had a bit of a rap on me as possibly being a good young centre or back-rower but then I was getting into too much trouble off the field,” Kite admitted.
Brent Kite. Photo: Melinda Jane
“It was my faith that helped me get the level head on and knuckle down to try and make a go of this footy caper. I was able to do that in the end and I definitely acknowledge God and my faith for that.” With Kite’s life heading down the right path, his career soon flourished with multiple premierships, state and international appearances and a Clive Churchill Medal recorded against his name. While some of Kite’s memories aren’t as distinct as others, one game, which in fact isn’t counted as one of his 300 NRL appearances, stands out from the pack. “I remember the trial game before my debut in 2002, it was the Charity Shield match against Souths who had just been let back in the comp. It was a packed house,” he said. “In a lot of ways that game is more memorable than my debut [against Cronulla] because I managed to score a try off a Jason Ryles grubber kick. That was pretty special and the one I remember as my first big game.” Kite is expected to finish up with the Panthers and his rugby league playing career at the end of next season. He revealed plans are already in the works for him to have a coaching role at the club when he retires.
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Faith put Kite on right path Y
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FEATURE STORY
We will all Rise for Alex S NATHAN TAYLOR
@natetaylor87
Cameron Smith and Paul Gallen came together off the field this week to pay tribute to Alex McKinnon and launch the Rise for Alex round
tate of Origin captains Paul Gallen and Cameron Smith have taken the rare step of putting aside state rivalries to join forces for injured Knights forward Alex McKinnon’s fundraising campaign. The NRL’s ‘Rise for Alex’ round (July 18-21) was officially launched this week and marks the first time in recent memory that Origin captains have agreed to come together before an Origin match. As part of the ‘Rise for Alex’ round the NRL will be donating $1 to the Rise for Alex Fund for every fan who attends any match during Round 19. Fans can also make donations by purchasing a Rise for Alex wristband that will be sold at all matches in Round 19 and 20. ‘The Footy Show’ will host a Telethon during their broadcast on July 17 and The Daily Telegraph will donate $1 from every newspaper sold on July 19 to the Rise For Alex Fund. McKinnon, who suffered a career-ending neck injury back on March 24, said he couldn’t wait to attend a game in Round 19. “Newcastle has looked after me and the whole community has looked after me over the last few months. I am really looking forward to the game,” he said.
Cameron Smith and Paul Gallen pictured at the launch of Rise for Alex Photo: Charles Knight, nrlphotos.com NRL boss Dave Smith said it was the ultimate compliment to McKinnon that the Origin captains had joined forces to launch the round. “Alex McKinnon has brought the rugby league community together like never before with his positive attitude and contagious smile,” he said. “Through the toughest of times, he has
continued to display a brand of courage, determination and spirit that lifts everyone around him.” The Rise For Alex Fund has been established to provide ongoing financial and medical support to assist in McKinnon’s recovery. The Panthers will take on the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium in round 19.
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Can Panthers stay on top without Wallace?
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I have to admit that I have admired the way the Sharks have responded on the field over the past two weeks given all that they have been through. A major factor in these wins has been former Penrith junior Wade Graham. Wade has certainly started to mature into a fine leader and while still young and with more to learn, was justly rewarded for his efforts with selection as 19th man for Origin II. I am confident in saying that once this dark period is over Cronulla will have unearthed their long-term captain. Now I admit I do not know Boyd Cordner from the Roosters but by all reports he is a fine young player and person but he is certainly doing himself no favours with the comments he is making in the media. Yes he is mates with both Mitchell Pearce and Todd Carney and feels he has to stick up for them but sometimes you have to choose your words carefully. He is basically backhanding one of his NSW team mates and by continually making thoughts public about Carney he is potentially doing his own reputation damage. Maybe his manager might want to provide him some advice in this area. It was a good day on Sunday for the Panthers moving into top spot on the
PRIDDO'S POINT LUKE PRIDDIS
Luke Priddis is a former Penrith Panthers player who won the Clive Churchill Medal in 2003
Peter Wallace has been ruled out for around six weeks due to an injury ladder yet again, a nice result for Brent Kite in winning his 300th game in the NRL, being the 20th player to do so. I still remember a young Brent at the Canberra Raiders playing on the wing or centres. He has now become a quality prop who has represented at the highest levels, won two premierships and a Clive Churchill medal. All that remains is for him to clinch a third Premiership with the Panthers; then he will have ticked all the boxes.
The injury to Peter Wallace now places a huge question mark over the side’s chances for the remainder of the season based on how long he will be out. Monday’s game against the Broncos, who will be looking to start their run home given the Origin period is finished, will be a tough encounter without Wallace who has been outstanding all year. Jamie Soward needs to show the same leadership Wallace has in his absence.
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Lower GRADES
Wallace out for four-six weeks PANTHER RUMBLINGS with the Masked Panther
Send your Panthers gossip at news@westernweekender.com.au
Long-suffering Sharks supporter Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield was at it again this week, saying that Penrith has taken advantage of an unfair draw to rise to the top of the table. He points to the fact that the Panthers will only have to play teams like the Roosters, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles and Broncos once. I prefer to look at it another way – the Roosters, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles and Broncos only have to play the team coming first once! No wonder they are all still contenders. There was some wishful thinking post-match at Leichhardt Oval last weekend. Some sneaky bugger changed the score to read 69-0 in the Tigers’ favour.
The scoreboard at Leichhardt Oval with a cheeky scoreline post-match I must congratulate the Tigers on the way they celebrated Brent Kite’s 300th first grade game last weekend. Several announcements were made at the ground during the game, encouraging fans of both sides to stay around and pay tribute to the veteran forward after full-time. Many did, and Kite was presented with the game ball in an
NATHAN TAYLOR
excellent post-match presentation that included speeches from ARLC Chairman John Grant and Panthers Chairman Don Feltis. It was a wonderful touch by the Tigers and they deserve to be applauded for it. Another thing that brought a smile post-match was Jamie Soward coming over to the fans on the hill and handing his head gear to a young fan. We’ve seen Johnathan Thurston praised endlessly for this over the years – and deservedly so – but it was nice to see Soward do it and show just how far he’s come in terms of maturity and leadership.
@natetaylor87
One of the greatest winning streaks in NSW Cup history continued last Sunday with the Penrith Panthers notching up their 10th straight win. With the Wests Tigers severely understrength due to call-ups in first grade, the Panthers ran rampant in the first half, scoring five unanswered tries to lead 30-6 at the break.
Jamal Idris has played two outstanding games since returning from his break to deal with some personal issues. Last Sunday’s game against the Tigers was particularly special – it marked his first try in Panthers colours, and it all happened on his 24th birthday. The Masked Panther is hearing that the future of 2GB broadcaster Andrew Moore is under a serious cloud. The Daily Telegraph reported last week that Moore is off contract and suggested he may not be on deck for the station next year. It would make sense – Moore has already been removed from heading up Sundays on the Continuous Call Team, with Ray Hadley now back working seven days a week. Hadley even took the extraordinary step of battling the Leichhardt Oval traffic to be back in the 2GB studio to present the final hour of the rugby league coverage last Sunday. Hadley, who calls the shots when it comes to the Continuous Call Team, is known to be a fan of rising star Mark Levy, and Joel Caine. Caine had to stand down from his 2GB duties this year due to a conflict of interest but that doesn’t mean he won’t pop up again in a more permanent capacity in the future. Talking of radio, last Sunday’s clash between the Tigers and Panthers wasn’t broadcast live on either 2GB or Triple M. 2GB can’t broadcast the 3pm game due to Triple M’s exclusive rights, but Triple M is contracted to call all Sydney Swans games. What a silly situation.
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Penrith will be truly tested in coming matches with news that halfback Peter Wallace will be out for between four and six weeks. Wallace hurt his ankle in the early stages of the win over the Tigers last weekend. It’s a big blow to the Panthers in the lead-up to the finals, particularly given back-up half Isaac John is also out.
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Matt Robinson Panthers centre Tom Eisenhuth was in everything during the match. After granting the Tigers their first try off a dropped bomb, Eisenhuth redeemed himself by intercepting balls, cleaning up opposition errors and scoring a hat-trick of tries in what was a fantastic individual performance. However, the match wasn’t without its fair share of drama with the Panthers almost letting their huge lead slip late in the second half with some lazy defence and complacency. The final score, Panthers 40 Tigers 20. Penrith will face Newtown this Saturday at Sportingbet Stadium at 3pm. Meanwhile, Penrith’s Holden Cup team are enduring their own streak but not of the good kind after they were thrashed by the third-placed Tigers 30-18. While the final score may not look all that bad, the young Panthers were down 24-0 at the break and were totally outplayed by their superior rivals. The Panthers will look to get back on track this Monday afternoon when they meet the Broncos at Sportingbet Stadium.
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SHARKS PANTHERS
Nathan Buhagiar Cassola Kitchens
KNIGHTS PANTHERS
151 WW8287
SMITH PRODUCE
NORMAN’S NORMAN’S SCRAP SCRAP METALS METALS Free Call 1800 225 235
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Friday 11 July 2014 the western weekender
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SYDNEY - 9748 0611 FAX - 4721 7658 6 BLIGH STREET, AUBURN
2073 Castlereagh Rd, Penrith MOB: MO B: 0 0437 437 2 262 62 1 143 43 Credit Cards accepted d (behind Action Autos)
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Cash buyers of all Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals PICK-UP SERVICE AVAILABLE
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PENRITH - 4732 1683
34 PEACHTREE ROAD, PENRITH (Off Castlereagh Rd)
OPEN 7 DAYS MOST PUBLIC HOLIDAYS WW4342
NRL LADDER F
A
+/- Pts
W
D
L
B
1 Panthers
15
10
0
5
2
325 244 +81 24
ROUND 18
2 Sea Eagles
15
10
0
5
2
330 251 +79 24
Sea Eagles v Wests Tigers
3 Bulldogs
15
10
0
5
2
304 240 +64 24
Friday 7.45pm Brookvale Oval
4 Rabbitohs
16
9
0
7
1
355 243 +112 20
5 Roosters
16
9
0
7
1
375 271 +104 20
6 Broncos
15
8
0
7
2
328 251 +77 20
7 Warriors
15
8
0
7
2
337 315 +22 20
8 Storm
15
8
0
7
2
310 342 -32
9 Eels
15
8
0
7
2
321 355 -34 20
10 W. Tigers
15
8
0
7
2
290 338 -48 20
Titans v Raiders
11 Dragons
16
8
0
8
1
303 357 -54
18
Sunday 2.00pm Cbus Super Stadium
12 Titans
15
7
0
8
2
249 307 -58
18
13 Cowboys
16
7
0
9
1
354 294 +60 16
14 Knights
15
4
0
11
2
250 347 -97
15 Raiders
15
4
0
11
2
272 391 -119 12
Panthers v Broncos
16 Sharks
15
4
0
11
2
209 366 -157 12
Monday 7.00pm Sportingbet Stadium
20
12
Warriors v Eels Saturday 5.30pm Mt Smart Stadium
Storm v Bulldogs Saturday 7.30pm AAMI Park
Sharks v Knights Sunday 3.00pm Remondis Stadium
Extra Time Issue Number 019 PRINTED BY Spotpress Pty Ltd / PRODUCED BY The Western Weekender EDITOR Troy Dodds / 4722 2998 / troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au
Keep up to date with the Panthers on Facebook
SALES MANAGER Simon Gould / 4722 2998 simon.gould@westernweekender.com.au
Log on to: www.facebook.com/unofficialpenrithpanthers
BEER BREWING ................................................................... DISTILLING ................................................................... CIDER AND SOFT DRINKS ................................................................... CHEESE MAKING ................................................................... YOGHURT AND KEFIR ................................................................... TOFU ................................................................... SAUSAGES SMOKING CURING ................................................................... COFFEE ROASTING ................................................................... FOOD PRESERVING ................................................................... AUSTRALIAN NATIVE FOODS ................................................................... CHOCOLATE MAKING ................................................................... WINE AND MEAD MAKING ...................................................................
Rising star Dallin WateneZelezniak is set to have a long and successful career in first grade
more than just homebrew
Best moment in the NRL: Making my debut in Round 5 Worst moment in the NRL: Going to the judiciary. I hate getting in trouble! Favourite team growing up: Manly Favourite TV show: ‘The Black List’ Favourite movie: ‘Immortals’ Secret guilty pleasure: Fish and chips Ultimate holiday destination: Bora Bora
Country Brewer
PH: 02 4731 5444 218 Great Western Hwy Kingswood
www.countrybrewer.com.au
.................................................. Epicurean .................................................. Roberts Confectionery .................................................. Wyeast .................................................. Fowlers Vacola .................................................. A Taste of the Bush .................................................. Andale .................................................. Coopers .................................................. Weyermann .................................................. Joe White .................................................. WW7549
Friday 11 July 2014 the western weekender
SPECIALISING IN
CONTRIBUTORS Nathan Taylor / Luke Priddis / Yvonne Purtell / Erin Molan
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
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PD
POPULAR BRANDS
Club
11
12
YVONNE PURTELL
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PANTHERS FLASHBACK
JUNIORS @penrith_juniors
Fun in the holidays During the school holiday period our CUBs and Development Squad players have been involved in the following programs: Our U13s and U14s played in the Bulldogs Challenge; the U15s played a game against Country 15s and our U13s, U14s, U15s and U17s played against Western Suburbs. Thank you to all the players, parents and staff for making yourselves available for these programs. Now it’s back to the junior league as we move closer to the finals. We are currently recruiting staff for the 2015 Rep and Development programs and applications are now open. Application forms are available from our website: penrith.leaguenet.com.au. A one page CV outlining your suitability for the nominated position must also be included. Applications close on Friday, August 1 2014. We have some close competition going on in the junior league. Under 9 Division 1 sees only three points separating 1st and 5th place. Under 10 Division 4 has Katoomba on 14, Brothers (3) 13, Riverstone 12 and Minchinbury (2) 10. The A-grade Division 1 competition is very close at the top. St Marys and Brothers on top with 18 points followed very closely by St Patrick’s on 16. There are only four rounds of competition left in mini/mod age groups and five in the international. Sunday second and third division competitions will start their finals on August 10 with the first division competitions on August 24. For most, there will be no junior league this weekend as we have a bye in our competition.
FROM THE VAULT
Friday 11 July 2014 the western weekender
From the vault this week comes a very dusty program we’ve managed to find from a Grand Final luncheon held at Panthers in 1989. Members of the 1969 and 1979 grand final teams came along to celebrate the luncheon ahead of the big grand final between Canberra and Balmain, which would ultimately go down in history as one of the most famous ever played. John Raper and Ray Chesterton were also guests on the day. The menu? Items like a Tiger Mousse, Dragon Meringue and Rabbit and Veal Terrine were all on offer. Entertainment was provided by Jane Scali and the 50s Live Band. What a great lunch this would have been!
Fittler went on to be a legend TROY DODDS
@troyododds
T
hese days Brad Fittler is known best for his work on television, and probably next best for his time at the Sydney Roosters as both a player and coach. But out west, we know where the Brad ‘Freddy’ Fittler story truly began, and where his heart really lies. It was in the mid-1980’s when Penrith ensured that a 14-year-old Fittler would later debut with the club. Coach Tim Sheens did the hard yards to sign Fittler for five years on a scholarship, knowing that by 19 the talented youngster would have worked his way through the grades and be playing top flight football. What happened from then would be the administration of the day’s issues to sort out. Fittler would eventually make his debut for the Panthers in 1989, while still attending high school at McCarthy Senior High School. As soon as he stepped foot on the big stage, it was certain that Fittler would be a star. His fancy footwork and raw ability on the football field was there for all to see. His debut came late in the 1989 season. The 17-yearold made his entrance to first grade at Orana Park in Campbelltown, with Penrith already having the match in their keeping by the time he came off the bench. The Panthers won 37-0 that day, and Fittler set up two tries. Proving just how much belief the club had that Fittler would emerge a superstar, coach Ron Willey took the extraordinary step of playing him in the place of Chris Mortimer for a semi-final against Balmain at the Sydney Football Stadium. But nobody knew it was coming – the Panthers had filed a team by the deadline on match-day that included Fittler on the bench and Mortimer at five-eighth. When the Panthers ran out, Mortimer was nowhere to be seen. The Panthers were later fined by the NSWRL for changing their team prior to the deadline. It has still never been confirmed, but some say that the decision by Penrith to part ways with Ron Willey at the end of the 1989 season – despite re-signing him during the year for 1990 – was partly about the decision he made that day in relation to playing Fittler in the starting side. They say he lost the respect of some of the players, who had been making noise at Board level.
Brad Fittler in the early days
As soon as he stepped foot on the big stage, it was certain that Fittler would be a star
Fittler would go on to play 119 games for the Panthers, including the 1991 Grand Final. While at Penrith, he represented at the highest level with both New South Wales and Australia and by the time he left, he was one of the highest paid players in the game. Penrith’s decision to join the Super League competition led to Fittler’s ultimate decision to leave the Panthers in 1995. He signed with Eastern Suburbs, and went on to play more than 200 games for the club. Brad Fittler is without doubt a rugby league legend – perhaps one of the greatest players to ever strap on a boot. And it all started here.
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THE DEALS ON THE BUS GO ROUND AND ROUND
Friday 11 July 2014 the western weekender
WW10352
extra time
14
PANTHERS IN PICTURES Lewis Brown breaks through the defence
We’re loving Lewis!
Lewis Brown in Panthers colours
Lewis Brown has proven himself as a versatile performer at the Panthers, filling a number of positions and doing so brilliantly. Big, tough and powerful, he’ll be vital in Penrith’s run towards the finals later this year @wwpenrith
Mary Anne Lowery
Chiropractor
& Massage Therapy
Bursitis – Inflammation of the bursa
Friday 11 July 2014 the western weekender
Bursitis is the inflammation or irritation of the bursa. The bursa is a cushioning sac filled with lubricating fluid which is designed to protect our muscles and tendons. Bursitis is predominantly caused by overuse or repetitive movements such as computer work, sports such as tennis and golf, and cycling. It most commonly affects the elbow, shoulder, hip, knee and ankle. Pain is the most common symptom together with a decreased range of movement. A great treatment option is the combination of chiropractic and laser therapy.
44 Castlereagh Street, Penrith Tel: 4721 2143
WW7354
www.malchiro.com.au
3
15
extra time
1. Brown crashes through the defence in a pre-season trial 2. Brown in action against the Tigers 3. Brown calling the shots in the pre-game warm-up 4. Brown sends a ball to Dean Whare out wide Photos: Melinda Jane
1
2
4 Penrith and Bella Vista www.justpatiofurniture.com.au rniture.com.au
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Friday 11 July 2014 the western weekender
Penrith Homemaker Centre: 301-335 Mulgoa Rd, Jamisontown (between Harvey Norman & Bunnings). 7 DAYS A WEEK Bella Vista Outlet Store: Shop 143, 24-32 Lexington Dr, Bella Vista. THURSDAY - SUNDAY ONLY
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