Extra Time May 10

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Isaah Yeo leaves the field in pain last weekend. Photo: NRL Photos

THEY’LL BE BACK YEO, KIK AU INJURIES NOT AS BAD AS FIRST THOUGHT

PANTHERS V TIGERS > P31 Troy Dodds previews the battle of the big cats at Suncorp Stadium

MOSES LEOTA > P33 Tough forward tries to explain Penrith’s awful start to the season

PANTHER FLASHBACK > P41 We look back on a day that rocked Penrith to its core

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Friday, May 10, 2019 « the western weekender

v

THE FINAL WORD

FRIDAY, MAY 10 • 6PM | SUNCORP STADIUM | REFEREES: CHRIS SUTTON & CHRIS BUTLER

PANTHERS 1

Caleb Aekins

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 19

Josh Mansour Dean Whare Waqa Blake Dallin Watene-Zelezniak James Maloney Nathan Cleary James Tamou (c) Wayde Egan Reagan Campbell-Gillard Frank Winterstein James Fisher-Harris Hame Sele Sione Katoa Tyrell Fuimaono Moses Leota Tim Grant 18 Jarome Luai Kaide Ellis 20 Dylan Edwards

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, May 10, 2019

MATCH PREVIEW

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TIGERS

FOX LEAGUE

TRIPLE M Josh Mansour in action against the Tigers earlier this season. Photo: Melinda Jane

TROY

DODDS This weekend marks the NRL’s inaugural Magic Round and Penrith coach Ivan Cleary will certainly need to dig deep into his bag of tricks if his side is to walk away from Suncorp Stadium with a victory.

Penrith fans have every right to feel disgusted with the way the side played against Canberra in Wagga last weekend. It was a performance that exposed Penrith’s terrible ill- discipline and was devoid of enthusiasm and confidence.

Fans and sponsors deserve better than the rabble that has been dished up too often this season, and while the Finals now look unlikely, we can only hope the players find the desire and pride that should come with pulling on the Penrith jersey before this team starts to look down

the barrel of a disappointing wooden spoon season.

Cleary has been forced into a raft of changes this weekend, though it could have been much worse.

James Maloney’s success at the judiciary on Tuesday night means he’s free to play, and while he hasn’t been in the best form of late, his competitive nature is crucial to Penrith’s chances; he’s been around long enough to know that he needs to play better and that much of Penrith’s fortunes rest on his shoulders.

The likely loss of Viliame Kikau to an ankle injury is significant, given Penrith send so much of their attack his way.

Kikau has been named on the extended bench but was rated only a slim chance of playing, and will most likely be back against the Warriors next weekend.

With Isaah Yeo also out, Cleary has named a new-look forward pack.

Reagan Campbell- Gillard returns to the starting side, while Frank Winterstein is back from injury to partner James FisherHarris in the second row. Hame Sele is back at lock, returning to first grade after a sleep-in cost him a stint in the Canterbury Cup. The return of Dean Whare means Dallin Watene- Zelezniak moves onto to the wing, with Cleary resisting the temptation to shift him back to fullback and offer Dylan Edwards a reprieve.

Whare’s return is significant given his strong defence, and Penrith’s backline looks a little more set and potent than in previous weeks.

Who knows what sort of performance this team will dish up on Friday, especially with so much disruption in the lead-up to the contest, but perhaps those given the opportunity this weekend will play with a little more heart and determination

1

Moses Mbye (c)

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 18

Mahe Fonua Robert Jennings Esan Marsters Corey Thompson Benji Marshall Luke Brooks Ben Matulino Robbie Farah Alex Twal Ryan Matterson Chris McQueen Matthew Eisenhuth Jacob Liddle Thomas Mikaele Oliver Clark 17 Luke Garner Paul Momirovski

than the first-choice side has produced in recent times.

The Tigers, who fell to Penrith in Golden Point earlier this year and would be desperate to even the ledger, like to throw the ball around and the Panthers will have to work hard to contain their second phase play, especially when you consider Penrith has missed more tackles than any other club this season.

Against the Roosters last weekend, the Tigers proved they are a fair way off the competition’s best teams, but they still played with a huge chunk of spirit.

I’m most looking forward to the halves battle here. You’ve got a couple of veterans in Maloney and Benji Marshall facing off against each other, while the young guns in Nathan Cleary and Luke Brooks also meet.

I’m sticking with the Panthers... just.

Tip: Panthers by 4.

31

Friday, May 10, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

PANTHER RUMBLINGS

with the Masked Panther

JACK STAYS OUT  Despite a growing injury toll, don’t

expect to see Jack Hetherington back in first grade any time soon. The 22-yearold, who made his first grade debut a little over a year ago, played Canterbury Cup last week after a few weeks off but Ivan Cleary is unlikely to elevate him into the NRL side. Hetherington is not necessarily out of favour but has some work to do both on and off the field before he can be thrown into the pressure of the NRL melting pot again. The club is closely monitoring him.

 Which Penrith NRL player’s mother is

not happy with Ivan Cleary’s team selections at the moment? She’s been making her views known on social media.

 Canterbury Cup coach Guy Missio

was forced to hit the phones last Saturday night in an attempt to put a side together to face Mounties the following day at Aubrey Keech Reserve. With four players withdrawn from the team due to likely NRL call-ups, Missio had to rely on inexperienced players. The situation became laughable when one player who Missio called on Saturday night was out on the drink, and had to get himself ready to play the next day after the unexpected call-up. There were reports that some players were even being introduced to each other in the dressing room before the game. Incredibly, the Panthers won the match – one of the upsets of the season in any grade.

 The Panthers still have one spot to fill

in their top 30 after Tyrone Phillips parted ways with the club last month. However, the club will need to find a bargain buy if they’re to add a new recruit to the ranks, with Phillips’ salary hovering around the NRL minimum wage. There’s still plenty of talk that there’ll be a bit of movement at the foot of the Mountains before June 30, so watch this space!

 The daughter of Penrith legend Mark

Geyer has commenced legal proceedings against the administrator of a Facebook page over allegations relating to a sex tape, which surfaced in the pre-season.

Jack Hetherington at Panthers training Montana Geyer has now filed a Statement of Claim in the District Court and is seeking damages from the administrator of the “NRL Memes” and “NRL Quality Memes” pages.

 Penrith have quietly parted ways with

Liam Coleman, who was thrust into the spotlight when he was charged with ‘indecent assault’ late last year. With Coleman also involved in the sex tape scandal that rocked Penrith’s pre-season, the club saw very little light at the end of the tunnel for the young halfback.

 James Maloney scored his 1800th

CC TYRES FAMILY-OWNED & OPERATED, WITH OVER 60 YEARS SERVICING THE PENRITH REGION.

Word about Isaah Yeo’s season being over leaked out on Monday, but it baffled Penrith officials and Yeo himself. The 24-year-old hadn’t even been for scans yet when the first story was published. As it turns out, Yeo will only miss around a month of football.

scheduling. Thanks to the folks at Bankwest Stadium, The Masked Panther has a family pass to give away to the Panthers v Eels match! For your chance to win, send an email to competitions@westernweekender.com.au with ‘Bankwest Stadium’ in the subject line. Entries close Wednesday, May 15 and the winner will be notified by email. Tickets to the game on May 23 are on the sale now.



 Brian To’o and Matheson Johns have

career point when he booted a goal for Penrith against the Raiders last weekend.



The Panthers head to Bankwest Stadium for the first time on May 23 when they meet the Eels. It’ll be the stadium’s first big test given the way Penrith are playing and the difficulty of a Thursday night

earned selection in the NSWRL Canterbury Cup NSW Residents team to take on the Queensland Residents team at Dolphin Stadium in Redcliffe on Sunday.

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, May 10, 2019

FEATURE

DON’T WRITE US OFF NATHAN

TAYLOR

Moses Leota in action against Souths earlier this season. Photo: Melinda Jane

WW36628

In the wake of Penrith’s fresh injury toll and run of bad form, interchange forward Moses Leota says there’s still time for his side to go on a run and achieve a Finals berth.

Despite sitting in second last position with just two wins to their name, Penrith’s fight for a Finals spot will continue tonight when they face old foes Wests Tigers at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium for the NRL’s Magic Round.

While many believe a fourth straight Finals appearance is out of the equation based on Penrith’s slow and tumultuous start to the year, it is still well and truly possible if they manage to string some victories together.

“I have faith in the boys that we can do it as a team,” Leota told Extra Time of Penrith’s playoff chances.

“We just need to take it week to week and hopefully it will play out in the end.

“I don’t know what’s going on of late, we have our good games and our bad – and we’ve had a lot of bad – but we are hoping to get back into the winner’s circle this week.”

The last time Penrith tasted victory was back in Round 4, funnily enough against this Friday night’s opponents. That evening the Panthers snatched victory from the jaws of defeat thanks to a clutch Nathan Cleary sideline conversion and subsequent field goal in golden point.

Leota said he remembers last month’s game against the Tigers at Panthers Stadium rather well.

“I remember that being a tough game, the Tigers really came to play but we stuck in right to the end and got the field goal – it was pretty special,” the 23-year-old said.

If Penrith are unable to beat Michael Maguire’s men, who also suffered a last start defeat at the hands of the 2018 Premiers, it’ll be the club’s fifth loss in a row. The last time the Panthers suffered five straight defeats was back in 2017, when they were also written off before making a remarkable late season charge to the Finals.

If Penrith are to turn around their fortunes, Leota says it all starts at training.

“It’s just the little things we are getting wrong, we are trying to work on them but haven’t quite got them right,” he said.

“Thankfully that’s why we turn up to training every day, to try and get them right.”

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Friday, May 10, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

FEATURE Viliame Kikau leaves the field last Saturday. Photo: NRL Photos

CARNAGE INJURIES R ATTLE PANTHERS IN WAGGA NATHAN

TAYLOR

34

Things have gone from bad to worse for Panthers coach Ivan Cleary, with three key players suffering injuries last weekend.

It was absolute carnage at McDonalds Park in Wagga on Saturday afternoon with Isaah Yeo (shoulder), Viliame Kikau (ankle) and Malakai Watene- Zelezniak (ribs) all exiting the field early during Penrith 30- 12 loss at the hands of the Canberra Raiders.

24- year- old Yeo will be sidelined for at least four weeks after suffering a dislocated left shoulder.

The Dubbo product, who has had shoulder issues in the past, will undertake a rehabilitation program on the shoulder for the next month.

Unsubstantiated reports on Monday had Yeo ruled out for the entire season.

Fijian powerhouse Kikau was also assisted off in Penrith’s loss to Canberra, injuring his ankle in a tackle.

This is the second major injury this season for the 24-year-old after he missed the opening three rounds following an MCL injury. Kikau is currently a week to week proposition with the forward suffering some minor damage to his right ankle ligaments.

Meanwhile, Watene-Zelezniak will miss time after suffering a rib cartilage injury last weekend.

The 27- year- old former Tiger, who left the field clutching his chest, will be sidelined indefinitely.

While Penrith’s rehab group grew by three this week, it did lose a couple with the club welcoming back two players after stints on the sidelines.

Frank Winterstein returns this Friday night after injuring his knee against the Tigers in Round 4, while centre Dean

Whare will make a comeback following two weeks out with a minor hamstring tear.

“IT’S UP TO US TO GO OUT THERE AND DO OUR BEST”

While Penrith’s depth will be tested over the next few weeks, 29- year- old Whare said full faith will be put into the replacements.

“It’s unlucky for us that we have so many injuries, but we have a lot of boys that can

come up and play for us,” he told Extra Time.

“The boys who played Canterbury Cup last weekend went really well and this gives them an opportunity to play. A lot of teams have injuries and setbacks, but it’s up to us to go out there and do our best.”

With Penrith down on troops and confidence, Whare believes his side should take inspiration from an unlikely source – the Cronulla Sharks.

Last Friday night a patched up Sharks outfit managed to knock off Melbourne despite missing several key players including Matt Moylan and Shaun Johnson.

“Cronulla beat one of the best teams in the comp the other day, I watched that game and saw the effort they put in and the hunger they had to win,” he said.

“We’re in a similar situation at the moment with injuries, hopefully our young guys can come up and do the things that Cronulla were doing.”

Panthers and Tigers both need some magic this weekend

ANDY RAYMOND T

his weekend is Magic Round in the NRL and there’s plenty of sides that will be hoping to pull a rabbit out of their hat.

One of those sides is the Penrith Panthers.

The Panthers were gritty against the Raiders and showed plenty of heart, but their attack still looked a little clunky and disorganised at times.

Penrith haven’t had any troubles getting themselves into the attacking zone this season, but it’s when they get into the opposition 20 that they struggle most.

Ivan Cleary will be sweating on the fitness of Viliame Kikau this weekend.

Kikau has been the Panthers’ go- to man this season and his loss would be a massive blow.

James Maloney was given a second life by the judiciary this week and he needs to make the most of the second chance he’s been given.

The Wests Tigers will be absolutely stinging after being towelled up by the Roosters last weekend and you can guarantee that Michael Maguire will have them fired up for this one.

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, May 10, 2019

Brought to you by

Brisbane and Gold Coast players, along with Gorden Tallis, helped launch Magic Round earlier this week No coach likes to lose, but Maguire physically despises it. He would have gone into last weekend’s clash thinking that his side were capable of pulling off an upset and would have called on his chargers to make a statement about their premiership chances.

The fact his side had their pants pulled

down 42- 12 would not have pleased Maguire and he would have let his side know about it on the training paddock this week.

When these two sides met in Round 4 the Wests Tigers were the better side for 70 minutes of the match, but were blown away by some Nathan Cleary magic in the

dying minutes. If there was ever a time that the Panthers needed some Cleary magic, it’s this weekend in Magic Round.

Cleary is a special talent, he’s a leader in the Panthers side and he’s the incumbent Blues halfback. He showed in Round 4 that he can turn the match on a dime and is capable of owning the big moments.

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Friday, May 10, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, May 10, 2019

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Friday, May 10, 2019 « the western weekender

Is Latrell Mitchell the game’s best player?

CLINTON MAYNARD but given the Sea Eagles have hardly fired a shot since DCE signed that contract, the strategy is questionable.

Penrith decided Nathan Cleary was that player for them. However the start of 2019 has hardly been the best few months of his career, but he has plenty of time to turn it around.

Kalyn Ponga at the Knights is certainly a young player you could build a club around, but the first weeks of the season proved a shift to a game management position in the halves was harder in practice than it was on paper.

A player who was a late developer but is certainly shaping as the key to the South Sydney side, Damien Cook, is a player the Bulldogs and Dragons would both be wishing they’d kept at their clubs.

Mitchell may well end up the best player in the game, but as a centre is he the man to pin your hopes on, and if he moves to fullback or number 6, would he be as effective?

There’s no question if you had an open cheque book he’d be a player you’d consider, but whether he’s the ‘one’ remains to be seen.

Latrell Mitchell in action against Penrith last year. Photo: Megan Dunn

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f you were in charge of an NRL club and you could sign any player in the game, who would that player be? Who is the player in the game you could build a club around?

Many of the game’s leading experts have asked the question this week, who is the best player in the game?

That was following Latrell Mitchell’s remarkable performance against the Wests Tigers last weekend.

He was brilliant, no question, and at 21 he has already achieved so much in the game.

However as a centre and if you had an open cheque book, is he the player you’d build a club around?

Previously the question was a little easier to answer as the best players in the game played in the most important positions, Johnathon Thurston a halfback, Billy Slater a fullback and Cameron Smith a hooker.

The proposition is the reason Manly signed Daly Cherry- Evans to a 10- year deal and one of the richest in the game.

As a halfback, the number 7 is the sort of player a coach develops a team around,

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, May 10, 2019

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39

Friday, May 10, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

NRL LADDER AND FIXTURES PD

W

D

L

B

F

A

+/-

PTS

8

7

0

1

0

223

124

+99

14

2 Rabbitohs

8

7

0

1

0

202

121

+81

14

3 Raiders

8

6

0

2

0

173

102

+71

12

4 Storm

8

6

0

2

0

163

105

+58

12

5 Eels

8

5

0

3

0

195

143

+52

10

6 Sea Eagles

8

5

0

3

0

161

130

+31

10

7 Sharks

8

4

0

4

0

148

157

-9

8

8 Dragons

8

4

0

4

0

148

160

-12

8

9 W. Tigers

8

4

0

4

0

140

166

-26

8

CLUB

1

Roosters

10 Knights

8

3

0

5

0

146

150

-4

6

11 Cowboys

8

3

0

5

0

131

179

-48

6

12 Warriors

8

2

0

6

0

148

190

-42

4

13 Broncos

8

2

0

6

0

142

185

-43

4

14 Titans

8

2

0

6

0

132

191

-59

4

15 Panthers

8

2

0

6

0

113

180

-67

4

16 Bulldogs

8

2

0

6

0

104

186

-82

4

FACE IN THE CROWD

Round 9

/ / / / / / / /

Thursday, May 9 7.50pm Suncorp Stadium Friday, May 10 6pm Suncorp Stadium Friday, May 10 8.05pm Suncorp Stadium Saturday, May 11 3pm Suncorp Stadium

IS THIS YOU?

Saturday, May 11 5.30pm Suncorp Stadium

Is this you at a recent Penrith Panthers game?

If it is, you’ve won a Hoyts Family Movie Pass to use at any Hoyts Cinema in Australia! To collect your prize, visit the Weekender office at 2/42-44 Abel Street, Jamisontown and ask for Nathan Taylor.

Saturday, May 11 7.35pm Suncorp Stadium

Extra Time Issue Number 2019-009

Sunday, May 12 2pm Suncorp Stadium

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

Sunday, May 12 4.05pm Suncorp Stadium

CONTRIBUTORS Nathan Taylor / Clinton Maynard / Andy Raymond SALES DIRECTOR Chris Pennisi / 4722 2998 chris.pennisi@westernweekender.com.au

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John Farragher before being taken from the field in 1978 Penrith’s darkest day There’s been some rough moments in Penrith’s more than half century history in top flight rugby league. But no matter what has happened in the past, and no matter what happens in the next 50 years, it’ll be hard to find a tougher, more sadder day than May 28, 1978.

The Panthers were facing Newtown at Henson Park and young prop John Farragher was making his seventh appearance in the top grade. Farragher had come down from country NSW to trial with Penrith in 1977 but decided to go back home to Gilgandra, before eventually winning his contract in 1978.

Club officials believed he had plenty

of talent and he certainly showed what he was made of in his first six games in Panthers colours.

But Farragher’s career would be tragically cut short on that May day, and his name would enter rugby league folklore for all the wrong reasons.

May 28, 1978 would not only be the last day Farragher would play rugby league, but the last day he would walk.

A scrum collapsed during the first half and after everyone else regained their feet, it was quickly noticed that one player remained on the ground.

Farragher was motionless. He told medics that he couldn’t feel anything – prompting a major emergency reaction

on the field. The game was held up for more than half an hour before Farragher was transported from the field.

Tests would later confirm that Farragher had broken his spinal cord and would become a quadriplegic.

The incident happened in the first half and even in those days, news travelled quickly.

By half- time, the Penrith squad was aware that it didn’t look good for Farragher – and some reports suggested they even wanted to call the game off.

In those days, with rugby league far from a fully fledged professional sport, the option was most definitely considered.

However, the Panthers played on and “did it for John”, and beat the Jets comfortably.

Farragher recalls the incident in the Panthers: Men In Black book.

“I wasn’t in any agony, there was no pain or anything,” he said.

“It was a strange feeling, like a battery quickly wearing down to nothing. They put a brace around my neck and got me into the ambulance. I knew then I wouldn’t walk again and I said that to Ian Maurice in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.”

These days, Farragher – with his welcoming smile – is a mainstay at the Panthers Leagues Club, where he’s been employed for decades.

SCOREBOARD NRL

RAIDERS 30 PANTHERS 12

NSW CUP

PANTHERS 30 MOUNTIES 22

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, May 10, 2019

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JERSEY FLEGG RAIDERS 37 PANTHERS 12

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Friday, May 10, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

EXTRA MINUTES  Wests Tigers have secured a further

commitment of funding for the club’s Centre of Excellence Project at Concord Oval. Liberal Candidate for Reid, Fiona Martin, confirmed on Tuesday that a re-elected Morrison Government will provide $5 million for the re-development of Concord Oval – including the Wests Tigers Centre of Excellence – as well as an additional $1 million to be provided over two years to establish a new “Cubs” engagement program supporting multicultural youth. “The Wests Tigers are an integral part of our community here in Reid, and I’m proud that we are backing them in,” Dr Martin said.

 Warriors forward Adam Blair will sit

out Magic Round this weekend after being suspended for a Dangerous Throw in last week’s loss to Newcastle. He submitted an early guilty plea to the charge, which stemmed from an incident in the 28th minute.

 Bad news for St George-Illawarra fans

with five-eighth Corey Norman suffering a fractured cheekbone in last weekend’s loss to his former club Parramatta. Norman underwent surgery on Tuesday and is expected to miss at least a month of football.

Happy Tigers: Luke Brooks, Fiona Martin and Moses Mbye this week

 The Bulldogs have announced a huge

family fun day for their clash against Melbourne on Sunday, May 26 at Belmore Oval. The match has special significance as it will feature the return of members of the 1980 and 2004 Premiership winning sides in honour of Steve Folkes who played in the 1980 side and coached the

2004 side. Each team will do a lap of honour of the ground. In addition there will be a Family Fun Zone in action throughout the day featuring an obstacle course, pass the football, a balloon artist, fairy floss and a Kindi Farm; plus a half-time Dance Spectacular featuring over 1500 local children.

 Melbourne Storm has added to its

backline depth by signing Nicho Hynes until the end of the 2020 NRL season.

Currently playing for the unbeaten Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Intrust Super Cup, the 22-year-old had his first official training run as a Storm player at Gosch’s Paddock on Tuesday.

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