Extra Time April 12 2024 (Round 6 - Panthers Bye)

KENNY STICKS SOLID

HOOKER INKS NEW PANTHERS DEAL

ALL THE DETAILS: PAGE 39

Missed last week’s results? Here’s a rundown of what happened in key Penrith Panthers games...

Tries: T Trbojevic, T Koula, D Cherry-Evans, C Waddell, J Paulo

Goals: D Cherry Evans 6/6

Tries: D Edwards 2, B Schneider

Goals: D Edwards 3/3

Tries: J Grant, M Geyer, D Fale, A Lisati, P Alamoti

Goals: P Alamoti 3/5

Tries: W Heleta, B Parker, C Faulalo

Goals: B Wakeham 4/4

Match postponed

panther rumblings

LUAI POPULAR AT BROOKVALE

! Everybody loves Jarome: The efforts to paint Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai as a rugby league bad boy or outcast clearly aren’t having much impact. Check out this awesome photo captured prior to last week’s game against Manly at 4 Pines Park. Manly youngsters couldn’t resist the opportunity to get a photo with the Tigers-bound Luai, despite cheering against him a short time later. Luai was happy to oblige.

! Presser delay: It took almost an hour after the full-time siren for Ivan Cleary and Isaah Yeo to front the media following last week’s loss to Manly. And when they did, the entire press conference lasted just two minutes and 15 seconds. There was very little to say after what was one of Penrith’s most disappointing performances in recent years.

! Spotted: Lara Bingle and Sam Worthington watching the Panthers versus Sea Eagles clash at 4 Pines Park last Saturday evening.

! Players take time off: Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has given his players almost a week off given the bye falls this weekend. It probably couldn’t come at a better time given last week’s loss to Manly. The break will also help prepare the players for a busy week in Bathurst next week in the lead-up to the Saturday afternoon clash with the Wests Tigers.

! In defence of Todd: NRL Head of Football Graham Annesley has backed his officials over the controversial Tolutau Koula try for Manly against Penrith on Saturday night. Referee Todd Smith (pictured top right) opted not to call what appeared to be an obvious knock-on in the lead-up to the try, and the Bunker sub-

sequently cleared it. Annesley played audio from inside the Bunker at his Monday briefing, and it at least provided some insight into the decision. But nobody can deny that if that knock-on happened in general play, in 99.9 per cent of cases it would be called a knock-on. If the call on Saturday is the new standard, let’s

! McRae drops a bomb or two: Former Penrith Panthers Ground Announcer Scott McRae has opened up about his 2019 axing on the Western Weekender’s ‘On The Record’ podcast. McRae says he’s never been given a proper explanation about why his 20-season run came to an end, though admits the dust has now settled and he’s moved on. However, he remains highly critical of the game day experience and the lack of passion he feels exists around the ground announcers at NRL venues these days. You can search Western Weekender on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or iHeart to listen, or go to www.westernweekender.com.au/ podcast.

! No chance of WCC in Vegas: There’s been a few suggestions doing the rounds that the World Club Challenge could be held in Las Vegas next year, should one of the competing teams end up winning the Premiership. It simply won’t happen. The Vegas teams need to be locked in months in advance to ensure proper preparation and time for fans to plan and book trips. With the Premiers not decided until October, it wouldn’t be fair to randomly axe one of the four Vegas teams and replace them with the English champions should everything just happen to fall into place.

Panthers now shorter: How’s this for an oddity? Going into last weekend’s clash against Manly, Ladbrokes had the Panthers as $3.50 favourites to win the title. After the poor performance against Manly, they’ve somehow become shorter – and are now $3.00 to lift the trophy on Grand Final Day at Accor Stadium. You’re getting slightly better odds at the TAB, where the Panthers are $3.25 to win their fourth straight comp.

! Spill the tea: If you’ve heard some Panthers gossip, you’ve got a scoop or spotted a player out and about, I want to know about it. I don’t keep secrets, but I do protect my sources. Email news@westernweekender.com.au.

Spotted: Liam Martin auditioning as the next fill-in for Nathan Cleary should he go down again later in the year.

Jarome Luai. Photo: NRL Photos.

COUNTRY ROADS TAKE HENRY HOME

On the eve of Penrith’s annual trip to Carrington Park in Bathurst, one country lovin’ Panther says he can’t wait to get back to his roots and give back to the game in the bush.

Rising Panthers prop Liam Henry is one of the true success stories of country rugby league after getting discovered by legendary Penrith Recruitment Officer Jim Jones whilst playing for the Western Rams over five years ago.

“It was Jim Jones who picked me, so a big thanks to Jimmy,” Henry told Extra Time

“I played with the Blayney Bears until U18s and then made it into the Western Rams squad and got picked up by Penrith through that.

“There were a few boys that got discovered that day too – we had a really good side that year.”

Henry has come a long way since leaving his family in Blayney behind and relocating to Penrith to chase his dream to play first grade in the NRL.

After debuting in 2022, the 22-year-old forward is finally starting to string some games together after being named on the bench in each of Penrith’s five games this season.

Henry said he loves where he comes from and he wouldn’t be the man and player he is today without his country upbringing.

“There’s a lot of talent in the country and it’s always on display,” he said.

“It’s always good to get back home and see

everyone. I love going to watch the bush footy and watching all my mates play. There’s plenty of talent out there, that’s for sure!’

After enjoying the week off courtesy of Penrith’s first bye of the season, Henry will return to the training paddock this weekend as he and his teammates prepare for the Royce Simmons Cup against the Tigers.

It's always a game Henry has circled on his calendar each year as it’s a chance for his nearest and dearest to watch him play.

“I played in that Bathurst game last year and it wasn’t the result we were after that night. The rain came down pretty heavy and it was pretty cold conditions, but the experience of playing back home was unreal,” Henry said.

“The ground is only half an hour from Blayney, so I had a lot of family and friends there which made it very special.

“It’s definitely something I look forward to throughout the season, so it’s going to be unreal.”

With so many NRL players hailing from the country, a topic was raised in the media last week about bringing back the classic City vs Country game, which was abandoned due to lack of interest back in 2017.

Henry, who used to grow up watching the fixture on TV as a kid, said he’d love to see its return one day.

“I’d be all for it – it used to be amazing. I couldn’t think of anything more special than playing for country, that would be awesome,” he said.

“I never got the chance to see a game live, but to be a part of it would be unreal.”

KENNY INKS NEW CONTRACT

The Penrith Panthers have locked down their two-time premiership winning hooker, announcing Mitch Kenny has signed a three-year contract extension with the club.

The new deal will see the 26-year-old remain with the Panthers until at least the end of the 2027 season.

It’s a huge show of faith in the loveable Windsor Wolves junior, who has filled former hooker Api Koroisau’s shoes brilliantly since taking over the dummy half duties full-time last season.

“I’m thrilled to commit to the Panthers because this place is home to me,” Kenny said

in a statement released by the club last Friday afternoon.

“Ivan Cleary and everyone at the club have supported me from the beginning, and I’m excited to repay the faith to them.

“It’s great to have the opportunity to continue wearing the Panthers jersey and representing our community for another three seasons.”

A local junior who progressed through the club’s pathways system, Kenny has played 87 NRL games for Penrith since making his debut in 2019 and is now a dual premiership winner.

“On behalf of everyone at Panthers, we are thrilled to see Mitch remain with the club for a further three seasons,” Panthers General Manager of Rugby League, Shane Elford said. “Mitch embodies the core qualities we value at our club, seen through his courage, determination, and dedication to his team.”

Kenny’s signature is the latest in a host of re-signings for the defending Premiers.

Last month, centres Taylan May and Izack Tago committed their futures, while try-scoring winger Sunia Turuva has an offer on the table to extend his stay with Penrith beyond this year.

The 21-year-old, however, is reported to be in high demand across the league with the St George-Illawarra Dragons considering making a serious play for the 2023 NRL Rookie of the Year as they look to strengthen their squad following the release of Zac Lomax at season’s end.

Penrith’s other off-contract players include Tyrone Peachey, Luke Garner, Matt Eisenhuth, Daine Laurie and Luke Sommerton.

Mitch Kenny. Photo: Penrith Panthers.

NATHAN TAYLOR

UNLEASHING VICTORY THE KEEPER OF THE GAME ISAAH YEO

FOR ALL YOUR RESIDENTIAL REAL ES TA TE NEEDS CALL PENRITH’S LEADING REAL ES TA TE AGENCY OUR CUSTOMERS ARE OUR PRIORITY

QUARTER SEASON REPORT CARD

lang on

league

with Peter Lang

analysis player of the year

Unbelievably the 2024 season is a complete mirror of how the Panthers started 2023. Like last year Penrith find themselves with three wins, two losses and a bye six games into the season. The exact same record as 2023. It would be wonderful if the rest of the season would follow last year’s script. So, without further ado, let’s get stuck into the quarter-season report card.

Attack: The attack so far has been a real mixed bag with the side not scoring a point in Round 1 before rebounding for the next three games with scores of 26, 34, 22 and 18. To be fair the last two weeks have been without Nathan Cleary, so the attack has looked a little disjointed at times during games. Last year the side scored 141 points from five games, this year it’s 100.

2024 GRADE: B | 2023 Grade: A-

Defence: The cornerstone of Penrith’s last three premierships has been their defence, it’s always the best in the competition. So far this year it’s taken a bit of a beating conceding 86 points compared to 64 in 2023. Some of the tries let in have been soft, especially against the Eels and Sea Eagles. It’s an area that needs to be addressed and corrected – now!

2024 GRADE: B | 2023 Grade: A+

Player performances: Dylan Edwards has been Penrith’s best this season. Against Manly he was the only player worth mentioning. Harsh but fair. Nathan Cleary had his best game against the Broncos while Isaah Yeo and Izack Tago have also performed well. Brian To’o always gives it his all while Lindsay Smith has been solid.

2024 GRADE: C+ | 2023 Grade: B+

The Western Weekender Penrith Panthers Player of the Year competition runs throughout the season, with our four experts delivering a 3, 2, 1 rating for the best Panthers players from each Penrith game. The player with the most votes at the end of the season is crowned our Player of the Year.

Who needs to lift: There’s a few players who haven’t performed up to their usual high standards and desperately need to lift their form if the side is to make the top four again. Liam Martin hasn’t had the impact you’d expect while Jarome Luai is yet to fire partially due to a serious shoulder injury which hampered his off-season. Also having inconsistent seasons are Taylan May and Moses Leota, who are brilliant one week and down the next.

Players to watch: Sunia Turuva has shown that he’s ready to take the next step after being named NRL Rookie of the Year in 2023. I’m also looking forward to seeing Liam Henry step up and fill Spencer Leniu’s position. He’s already shown he’ll be a force off the bench.

Coaching: Ivan Cleary is a three-time premiership winning coach so it’s hard to be too critical especially this early in the season and with new combinations still to integrate into the side. However I thought the team’s execution of whatever game plan he had against the Sea Eagles was awful.

“It was a poor performance,” he said after the game.

“I don’t have all the answers tonight”.

Cleary only spoke for one minute and 44 seconds during the whole post-match press conference but he didn’t need to say anything else.

Sometimes less is more.

2024 OVERALL GRADE: C+

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary. Photo: Megan Dunn.

KNIGHTS STORM

BRONCOS WARRIORS

EELS SHARKS

TIGERS TITANS

KNIGHTS STORM

BRONCOS WARRIORS

COWBOYS SHARKS

TIGERS RAIDERS

KNIGHTS STORM BRONCOS WARRIORS COWBOYS SHARKS

KNIGHTS STORM

KNIGHTS STORM

KNIGHTS STORM

ROOSTERS STORM

ROOSTERS STORM

ROOSTERS STORM

ROOSTERS BULLDOGS

TIGERS RAIDERS

BRONCOS WARRIORS EELS SHARKS TIGERS RAIDERS

BRONCOS WARRIORS

BRONCOS WARRIORS

BRONCOS WARRIORS

DOLPHINS SEA EAGLES

BRONCOS WARRIORS

DOLPHINS SEA EAGLES

EELS SHARKS

COWBOYS SHARKS

TIGERS RAIDERS

DRAGONS RAIDERS

COWBOYS SHARKS DRAGONS RAIDERS

COWBOYS SHARKS

EELS SHARKS

COWBOYS SHARKS

DRAGONS RAIDERS

TIGERS RAIDERS

DRAGONS TITANS

KNIGHTS STORM

BRONCOS WARRIORS

COWBOYS SHARKS

TIGERS RAIDERS

WARRIORS COWBOYS SHARKS TIGERS RAIDERS

KNIGHTS STORM

BRONOCS WARRIORS EELS RABBITOHS TIGERS RAIDERS

ROOSTERS STORM BRONCOS WARRIORS

COWBOYS RABBITOHS TIGERS RAIDERS

KNIGHTS STORM DOLPHINS SEA EAGLES COWBOYS SHARKS TIGERS RAIDERS

ROOSTERS BULLDOGS DOLPHINS SEA EAGLES COWBOYS SHARKS DRAGONS TITANS

EELS SHARKS TIGERS RAIDERS

ROOSTERS STORM BRONCOS SEA EAGLES COWBOYS SHARKS TIGERS RAIDERS

ROOSTERS STORM BRONCOS SEA EAGLES COWBOYS SHARKS TIGERS RAIDERS

ROOSTERS BULLDOGS DOLPHINS SEA EAGLES COWBOYS SHARKS DRAGONS TITANS

KNIGHTS STORM BRONCOS SEA EAGLES COWBOYS SHARKS TIGERS RAIDERS

KNIGHTS STORM BRONCOS WARRIORS COWBOYS SHARKS TIGERS RAIDERS

KNIGHTS STORM BRONCOS WARRIORS COWBOYS SHARKS TIGERS RAIDERS

ROOSTERS STORM BRONCOS SEA EAGLES COWBOYS SHARKS TIGERS TITANS

KNIGHTS STORM BRONCOS WARRIORS COWBOYS RABBITOHS TIGERS RAIDERS