Sport

PANTHERS ON THE MOVE

Koroisau and May find new clubs. p54

Will Hayward and Jacob Hopper at Accor Stadium. Photo: Phil Hillyard.

Giant showdown awaits

NATHAN TAYLOR

For the first time in six years, the GWS Giants will host crosstown rivals the Sydney Swans in a blockbuster Round 1 clash at Accor Stadium (formerly ANZ Stadium) for Sydney Derby XXIII to open the 2022 AFL Premiership season.

After defeating the Swans by just one point in a thrilling Elimination Final in Launceston last time they met, the Giants are looking forward to facing off against the Swans in front of their home fans for the first time with no restrictions since 2019 – more than 924 days between games.

A record-breaking 60,222 fans packed out Accor Stadium the last time the two teams played at the venue in 2016, the highest ever attendance between the two Sydney clubs, and the Giants’ inaugural Finals win.

Giants midfielder Jacob Hopper said he’s looking forward to welcoming the Swans back to the west for the Round 1 showdown.

“We’re super excited,” he said.

“The last time I played at Accor Stadium was in that first final back in 2016, so it will be awesome to get back out there against a team we have such a great rivalry with.

“We often play really exciting games against each other and it’s always a great crowd with plenty of members and plenty of fans and supporters. We get super pumped for it, and I think we play some of our best footy against each other.

“It’s a special rivalry between our two clubs. We feel like we’re creating history every time we step out on the field for a Sydney Derby, us still being pretty new and the Swans having that deep history.

“We both love playing against each other and I think that shows, so we’re pumped to be facing off against the Swans straight off the cuff.”

The opening round kicks off on Wednesday, March 16, with the Giants and Swans opening their campaign at 5.10pm on Saturday, March 19 in what is set to be a blockbuster start to the 2022 season.

The remainder of the AFL fixture was expected to be released this week.

You can see the full 2022 draw by visiting www.gwsgiants.com.au or www.afl.com. au.

Koroisau joins ‘Tales from Tiger Town’ cast for 2023

NATHAN TAYLOR

Just weeks after seeing Viliame Kikau don Bulldogs colours Penrith have suffered another major retention blow, losing Premiership-winning hooker Api Koroisau after next season.

Despite confidence the reigning Premiers would be able to keep the 29-year-old beyond 2022, Koroisau informed his Panthers teammates last Friday morning that he would be taking up a monster three-year offer at the Wests Tigers from 2023.

Wests Tigers Director of Football Tim Sheens said he was thrilled to see Koroisau sign with the joint-venture ahead of the 2023 season.

“We’re very pleased to have secured Apisai from the start of the 2023 season,” he said.

“He not only adds a further level of experience in a key position of the spine, but he has shown himself to be successful playing alongside head coach Michael Maguire previously in his career.

“It is always a big positive to sign a player with international and State of Origin experience, and what Apisai has achieved at both club and representative level will be a great addition to what we are building here.”

Despite some well-publicised off-field issues, including his cloudy vaccination status, Penrith’s immense success over the past two years can partly be put down to Koroisau’s influence and impact throughout the team.

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary confirmed the club wouldn’t be releasing Koroisau early from his contract.

“It’s really disappointing from an emotional point of view,” he told Nine. R ecently sacked Panther Tyrone May has landed back on his feet, signing with French Super League club Catalans Dragons for next season.

Despite having his NRL contract torn up last month, the 25-year-old managed to land a new gig on the other side of the world with this season’s runners-up.

“First of all, I’m very grateful for this opportunity. I can’t thank the coach Steve McNamara, Alex Chan and the president Bernard Guasch enough for allowing me to come to such a great club with an amazing fan base,” May said.

“I’m eager to meet my new teammates and gain their respect by working hard to go one better this year.”

Coach McNamara said May will add “great quality, depth and competition for places” within the squad.

“He arrives as a current Grand Final winner and his versatility and ability to play many positions to a high standard will be a huge asset for us,” he said.

May had his Panthers contract terminated last month after the Panthers Board concluded his conduct following the Grand Final constituted a “serious breach of his contractual obligations”.

May played 56 games for the Panthers in four seasons.

Api Koroisau to leave Penrith next year.

Au revoir! Axed Panther lands new deal in France

NATHAN TAYLOR

Tyrone May has joined Catalans.

Around The Grounds

CRICKET: Penrith are finally back in the winner’s circle, narrowly defeating Bankstown in Round 5 of the Belvidere Cup. Playing in a One Day match at Bankstown Oval, Bankstown won the toss and sent Penrith into bat first. Penrith’s opening three batsmen of Nick Adams, Ty Liddiard and Ryley Smith were huge in the victory, scoring 150 runs between them. Penrith finished on 7/249 after 50 overs. Adams was best with the bat with 71. When Bankstown hit the crease later that afternoon, they came agonisingly close to victory but ultimately fell five runs short. Henry Railz was best of the bowlers, taking 3/49. Penrith will aim for back-to-back wins this Saturday when they battle Randwick Petersham at Howell Oval.

CRICKET: Round 5 of the Nepean District Cricket Association (NDCA) is in the books, with Panthers Cricket Club enjoying a mixed bag of results. In first grade, Panthers 7/159 defeated Emu Plains 9/143. In fifth grade, Panthers 7/117 went down to Emu Plains 5/119. In seventh grade, Panthers 8/122 took the game to the last over before Glenbrook Blaxland 5/124 scored the winning runs with three balls remaining.

FOOTBALL: The Western Sydney Wanderers remain undefeated to start the season. The Wanderers secured their first victory of the year with a 2-0 win over the Wellington Phoenix in Wollongong last Friday night. Former Wellington striker Tomer Hemed came back to haunt his former side, scoring a crucial goal in the 66th minute. John Koutroumbis then put the result out of reach in injury time. The Wanderers will return to Parramatta this Saturday night to play crosstown rivals Macarthur. Meanwhile in the A-League Women, the Wanderers and Wellington played out at 0-0 draw in their season opener.

NETBALL: Double Premiershipwinning NSW Swifts co-captain and St Clair junior Paige Hadley has been selected in the Australian Diamonds squad and will travel to London to contest the Netball Quad Series in January. World Cup winner Hadley is one of five midcourt players named for the tour and will head to the four-match series alongside Ash Brazill, Kate Moloney, Jamie-Lee Price and Aussie captain Liz Watson. The Diamonds take on the England Roses, the New Zealand Silver Ferns and South Africa’s Proteas in the Series from January 16-20.

NETBALL: Terribly sad news last week with the passing of Glenmore Park Netball Club Vice President and Life Member Clare Cavanagh-Wright following a lengthy battle with cancer. Clare’s local club paid tribute online: “Clare showed great courage and strength during her five-year battle with breast cancer. Her positive attitude undergoing treatment while continuing to work and administer netball at association and club levels, showed her resilience and commitment to the community”. RIP.

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Local athletes clean up

NATHAN TAYLOR

The Western Sydney Academy of Sport (WSAS) celebrated their annual athlete award recipients during an intimate presentation ceremony at Nepean Rowing Club last week.

Six talented young Penrith-based athletes were presented their awards last Friday, December 3, by Penrith MP Stuart Ayres and WSAS CEO Martin Bullock.

The Annual Athlete of the Year is awarded to one person from each program who has showed hard work and determination through the duration of the program.

The Woolworths Scholarship – the Academy’s most prestigious award – is presented to the highest achieving male and female athletes. In the past, this scholarship has been awarded to high achieving Penrith athletes, such as recent Olympians Jessica Fox and Taylah Tsitsikronis.

Rising golf star Coby Carruthers was named the Academy’s Golf Athlete of the Year for 2021, while U15 Penrith Netball State captain Isabella Degei took home Netball Athlete of the Year.

Promising young triathlete Kyle Farrier was named the Academy’s Triathlon Athlete of the Year, while hardworking rower Hugh Harrold was announced as Rowing Athlete of the Year. NSW softballer Brad McCarthy was named the Academy’s Softball Athlete of the Year, while talented cyclist Daniel Samuel took out the coveted Woolworths Scholarship for his incredible feats over the past 12 months.

The Academy said it was proud to present these awards, during what has been a tough year for young people and was looking forward to following each athlete in their future sporting endeavours.

Penrith-based athletes won big at the Western Sydney Academy of Sport Awards last week.

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