Extra Time May 14 2021

NRL MAGIC ROUND SPECIAL EDITION

CLEARY THE GREAT TAKES HIS SHOW TO SUNCORP

ALL YOUR MAGIC ROUND INFO INSIDE TODAY!

Friday, May 14, 2021 « the western weekender • extra time

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the final word

v

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, May 14, 2021

match preview

Brought to you by

Matt Eisenhuth crosses the line last Friday night. Photo: NRL Photos.

TROY DODDS

Y

ou don’t win competitions in March, the critics say.

You don’t win them in April either, re-affirm the doubters.

And according to some bloke on Twitter, May isn’t the time you win them either.

At some point, people will hopefully start to enjoy watching winning footy teams but until then, Penrith have become the hunted, and in some cases the hated.

That’s the reality of success – there’s always someone waiting to bring you down when you reach the top.

Not that it bothers these Panthers much.

Most have grown up in greater western Sydney or the bush, constantly confronted with adversity, challenges and being told someone else is better.

Whether it be in footy or in life, they’ve had

SUNDAY, MAY 16 | 6.25PM | SUNCORP STADIUM | REFEREE: ADAM GEE to work harder than the bloke a little further east. They’ve had to prove themselves time and time again, often after being told they can’t possibly do it.

30-odd blokes and not a silver spoon among them.

This is the reality of the team that has been built at the foot of the Mountains. You can call them arrogant, you can put them down, you can poke them about what happened in October last year. It’s water off a duck’s back because collectively this group always responds by winning. By doing what someone said they couldn’t.

This Sunday, Penrith head back to arguably where the club hit rock bottom two years ago.

It was at Magic Round 2019 when the Panthers were trounced 30-4 by the Wests

Tigers, blown off the park by an early onslaught they never recovered from.

In the aftermath, everything about Penrith and coach Ivan Cleary was questioned. The response took time, but like his players, Cleary answered the critics (including many wearing Penrith jerseys) by winning, assembling the team that would rocket to the Minor Premiership in 2020 and sit with nine straight wins in 2021.

All part of the process, one that Cleary started many years earlier and was sent on an enforced sabbatical from.

A process that, some 736 days after that Tigers loss, has Penrith as short-priced favourites to collect a 10th consecutive win to start the season.

This Gold Coast team isn’t a bad footy side, albeit an inconsistent one. Justin

PANTHERS

KAYO FOX LEAGUE ABC 702 TRIPLE M

Holbrook can coach, he just hasn’t found the magic touch yet to make the Titans the Finals-certainties many thought they may be given their recruitment for this season.

But you get the feeling that no matter what Titans team turns up on Sunday night, Penrith will have its measure. Last week’s 48-0 thumping of Cronulla got the side back into a mood that no opposition coach would want to confront at the moment.

Incredibly, it was the third time this season Penrith had held an opposition scoreless.

That defensive brick wall is reflective of this team’s general attitude – don’t let too many people in, and if you do, be accountable for it and respond.

You might not win competitions in May, but you sure do build the bridge to get there.

Tip: Panthers by 18.

TITANS

1 Dylan Edwards

10 James Fisher-Harris

1 Alexander Brimson

2 Charlie Staines

11 Viliame Kikau

2 Anthony Don

10 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11 Kevin Proctor

3 Stephen Crichton

12 Liam Martin

3 Brian Kelly

12 TBA

4 Matt Burton

13 Isaah Yeo

4 Beau Fermor

13 Tyrone Peachey

5 Brian To’o

14 Tyrone May

5 Phillip Sami

14 Moeaki Fotuaika

6 Jarome Luai

15 Scott Sorensen

6 Tanah Boyd

15 Herman Ese’ese

7 Nathan Cleary (c)

16 Matthew Eisenhuth

7 Jamal Fogarty (c)

16 Jaimin Jolliffe

8 Moses Leota

17 J’maine Hopgood

8 Jarrod Wallace

17 Esan Marsters

9 Api Koroisau

18 Paul Momirovski 19 Spencer Leniu

9 Mitch Rein

18 Sam McIntyre 19 Erin Clark

31

WITH THE MASKED PANTHER

SPENCER PREPS FOR REPS ! Fans shouldn’t read too much into the decision to not include Spencer Leniu in the 17 for last week’s game against Cronulla or this week’s match against Gold Coast.

Leniu was originally set to play NSW Cup last week but ended up sitting the weekend out after COVID-19 protocols forced the NRL and second tier squads to be separated. The plan is to give Leniu more game time ahead of the Origin period, with coach Ivan Cleary now well entrenched in preparations to get the squad through the representative season unscathed and fit for the back end of the NRL campaign and the Finals. You can expect to see more selection tweaks in the coming rounds.

ing close to $1 million a season under his new contract. I’m told Fisher-Harris’ team is looking for a deal that is worth more as each season rolls on, with the Panthers hoping to find some middle ground to get an extended deal across the line.

Spencer Leniu. Photo: NRL Photos.

! Can someone hold a training session to explain to commentators the new rule surrounding the awarding of tries?

So many commentators and contributors across TV and radio seem genuinely surprised when a referee goes upstairs and says ‘no try’. Under the new rules, the referee will always do this if going to The Bunker straight away – otherwise he’ll award the try and wait for a review in the background. It’s not that hard to work out – yet some of our game’s broadcasters don’t seem to be across it.

! It felt like 2020 again this week with Penrith’s media sessions returning to Zoom after the NRL put players and officials under Level 3 COVID-19 protocols, essentially placing them back in bubblelike conditions. It was the first time media sessions had been held remotely since the 2020 season, where it became the norm.

! The Panthers have firmed further as favourites for the NRL premiership with TAB. Melbourne’s massive win over the Rabbitohs moved them from $4.50 into $4.00 but the Panthers remain the team to beat at $3.00, the shortest price this season.

A Grand Final rematch is now rated a $4.25 chance after the Melbourne/Penrith Quinella tightened from $5.25. The Roosters are back to double figure odds while Manly are now shorter than the struggling Raiders who are out to $34 heading into Magic Round in Brisbane.

! There was an awkward moment for a Sydney Morning Herald journalist during Tuesday’s Zoom session. During an interview with Stephen Crichton, she started asking about... Stephen Crichton. Penrith’s media manager had to step in and remind the understandably red-faced journo who she was interviewing. ! Spotted: State Penrith MP Stuart Ayres in deep conversation with Panthers Chairman Dave O’Neill at half-time of last week’s clash between Penrith and Cronulla at BlueBet Stadium. We can guess the topic of conversation: the looming State Government commitment to upgrade or possibly even completely re-build the stadium. ! Talking of the stadium, you can expect Penrith to head to Bankwest Stadium for home games if any period of closure at the current stadium is required. A complete re-build would take two years if that’s what ends up being announced by the Treasurer in the upcoming State Budget. The Panthers may take the opportunity to host a home game as part of Magic Round if the concept continues too. It’ll be a frustrating

! If you’d backed Charlie Staines to finish as the NRL’s top try scorer this season at $34 before last week’s round, you’d be cheering after his hat-trick against the Sharks. The TAB immediately shaved his odds back to $15, while his wing partner Brian To’o went from $13 to $17. Staines now has six tries for the season. Josh AddoCarr is unsurprisingly the favourite to finish as top try scorer this year, now at the very short odds of $3.00 after going into last week’s round at $19.00.

period for fans but the end result will obviously be worth it, with the Panthers able to capitalise on a bigger capacity for fans and much improved corporate facilities.

! Krispy Kreme is getting on board the Panther train, introducing limited edition Panthers-inspired doughnuts. The tasty treats will be available for every Panthers home game at the Krispy Kreme store in Penrith. Make sure you pop in for a doughnut before the next home game. If Krispy Kreme would like me to sample some of these, they can send a box care of the Weekender office.

! Remember that Matt Lodge to Penrith story I quashed a couple of weeks ago? I’ve since been told the initial story was leaked by... the Broncos! They’re so keen for Lodge to leave Red Hill that they manufactured their own rumour.

! There’s still no movement on a new deal for James Fisher-Harris at Penrith, with the powerhouse prop reportedly seek-

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Friday, May 14, 2021 « the western weekender • extra time

panther rumblings

SORENSEN MAKES HUGE IMPACT NATHAN TAYLOR

P

anthers supporters got a little shock last Thursday evening when it was announced off-season recruit Scott Sorensen would be making his club debut against his former team, Cronulla.

The 28-year-old forward was promoted into Ivan Cleary’s top 17 for the spicy clash in place of fan favourite and young wrecking ball Spencer Leniu, who was dropped to NSW Cup to earn more game time.

While Leniu didn’t get a chance to press his case in reserve grade last weekend due to the NRL rushing in strict biosecurity protocols for top 30 players, Sorensen was able to take to the field against his former teammates last Friday night.

Prior to the game at BlueBet Stadium, the Cronulla-Caringbah junior was presented his Panthers NRL jersey from long-time friend and teammate Kurt Capewell.

Speaking over Zoom this week, Sorensen said being presented his jersey by Capewell was an emotional experience.

“It was very special, especially receiving it off Kurt,” he told Extra Time.

“I’ve known him for a few years now and since day dot, not just him but, all the boys have made me feel so welcome. For him to

Scott Sorensen made his Panthers NRL debut last week. Photo: NRL Photos.

present the jersey to me was a nice touch.

“There was a little bit of emotion there, it was very special, and something I’ll remember for a long time.”

In Penrith’s 48-0 thrashing of the Sharks, Sorensen made a huge impact for his new

club, running an impressive 142m and making 17 tackles in 39 minutes.

Sorensen, who also played two games for the Raiders back in 2017, said he didn’t feel much pressure joining a side that plays at such a high standard.

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“Preparation was key, and I felt that if I got my preparation right, I’d put my best foot forward for a good performance – so that took a little bit of pressure off,” he said.

“To have the calibre of players around me like I do, it made the night a little bit easier.”

Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo was glowing in his praise for Sorensen, who had been impressing on a weekly basis in the NSW Cup competition.

“Scott’s a tremendous bloke. From the first day he was here, he’s one of those people that players gravitate to,” Yeo told Extra Time.

“He’s been playing extremely well in NSW Cup, so I guess it was only a matter of time.

I think he took his opportunity with both hands and he was great for us off the bench.”

With Sorensen only signed until the end of the current season, more performances like last the one against Cronulla could earn him a longer stay. Despite growing up in the Shire, Sorensen said he’s loving his life out west and doesn’t want it to end.

“I’m really enjoying my time here and gelling more and more with the boys each day,” Sorensen said.

“To add to that, the support of the fans – seeing how much they get around it at home and away games – it just makes me feel that much more supported and welcome. I’m very happy and I’m in a good space.”

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, May 14, 2021

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joel caine L

ast week we went through and picked out which player the bottom eight teams would target with a hypothetical $350,000 allowance to help get their season back on track.

This week, we’ll be doing the same exercise, but this time it’s for the sides that currently find themselves well and truly in the Finals race.

A third of a way into the season, coaches would be able to identify what could be the missing link between them bombing out in September or going all the way.

Whether it’s a positional need or an injury replacement, these are the players each top eight side would target with their $350k cheque.

With Corey Thompson sidelined with an ankle injury, the Gold Coast Titans could target Manly’s Jorge Tafua who has fallen down the depth chart at Brookvale. He could provide some added punch to Justin Holbrook’s side’s biggest strength, their offence.

Another out of favour star could find a starting role at another club and that’s the Titans’ Herman Ese Ese. The powerful forward would be a perfect replacement for Addin Fonua-Blake at the Warriors.

St George-Illawarra face the pros-

pect of their season slipping away, and that’s been compounded by the loss of Zac Lomax. The Dragons are already light on in the centres and BJ Leilua could slot into Lomax’s role as well as adding depth in that position.

Perhaps the club facing the most significant injury bug is the Roosters, and while they lost Brett Morris, many expect Joseph Suaalii to eventually come in. But having lost Lindsay Collins as well, Trent Robinson could go for the Bulldogs’ Dylan Napa, and he might just return to his best in tri-colours.

The Rabbitohs are pretty strong, but they rely on the health of Damien Cook, old Souths boy Nathan Peats could keep them above water when ‘Cooky’ heads off for Origin or if he needs a rest during the taxing season.

If I were Parramatta, I’d tell strike centre Brent Naden to stop off at Bankwest Stadium while he’s on his way to Canterbury next season.

While Penrith and Melbourne would no doubt take a player if given the chance, the thing they need right now is a May Grand Final.

If it were offered by the NRL, I have no doubt both Craig Bellamy and Ivan Cleary would take the big game sooner rather than later.

Panthers centre Brent Naden is Bulldogs-bound next season. Photo: NRL Photos.

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Friday, May 14, 2021 « the western weekender • extra time

34

The out-of-favour players who could find a home at a new club

CRICHTON IS CENTRE OF ATTENTION NATHAN TAYLOR

P

Stephen Crichton would love another crack at fullback if given the chance. Photo: NRL Photos.

anthers superstar centre Stephen Crichton says he enjoyed his short stint a fullback last month and would be keen to give it another go if given the opportunity.

The 20-year-old filled in for an injured Dylan Edwards for three games in April, however many ‘armchair experts’ believed he struggled to make an impact in the number one jumper.

Speaking with Extra Time over Zoom on Tuesday, Crichton said playing fullback was a challenging experience but one he embraced.

“It wasn’t difficult but just learning my job as a fullback and what I need to learn for myself as a fullback was good,” the St Clair junior admitted.

“Obviously learning what the boys needed on the edge numbers-wise was good as well – it was real fun,” he added.

With Edwards returning to the line-up in Round 7, Crichton resumed his place in the centres but, this time, on the right side of the field.

The proud Mount Druitt resident said he’s enjoying being back in familiar territory but wouldn’t rule out putting his hand up for the fullback role again if the opportunity arises.

“It’s heaps good being back in the centres, obviously on the right side, but finding my drift there as well,” Crichton said.

“Yeah of course [I’d play fullback again], I liked it.

Fullback is a big priority to a team, but I was having fun and, if the opportunity comes again, I would be happy to play there.”

Crichton will look to score his fourth try in as many games when he travels up to Brisbane this weekend to play a part in his first ever Magic Round.

The Panthers will go up against a Gold Coast side sitting in seventh place and coming off a narrow win over the lowly Wests Tigers last weekend.

The 2020 Dally M Centre of the Year said he’s excited to put on a show for the passionate footy fans in Brisbane.

“I’m excited to go up to Brissy,” Crichton said.

“It’s always a good game up there and a good opportunity to play some good footy in front of different fans as well, not just our own.

“I’m really excited to go up there and play some footy with the boys.”

Due to a two-game suspension, the Titans will be missing superstar forward David Fifita for this Sunday’s game, which kicks off at 6.25pm at Suncorp Stadium.

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, May 14, 2021

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37

Friday, May 14, 2021 « the western weekender • extra time

Brought to you by

How a never-say-die attitude defines a true NRL journeyman

warren smith T

he most misunderstood word in the Australian sporting vernacular is journeyman.

It’s another American term that we’ve borrowed to describe the player who moves from club to club during the course of their career.

The problem, however, is that we’ve had it wrong from the first time a journalist typed it into a laptop.

Journeyman, in the truest sense, doesn’t suggest that the athlete in question has a passport full of stamps, but instead has been on the journey of a sporting career without ever being a star in his or her chosen profession.

And the NRL is carried on the backs of many journeyman – players who have never been close to playing State of Origin or pulling on a Test match jersey, but have managed to stay in the game for a much longer time than most observers would have predicted.

Jeremy Latimore was a journeyman. 182 games over 11 seasons with four clubs, with the majority of those games coming off the bench, defines what it is to hold down a job in rugby league without ever making headlines or leading the sports segment in the 6pm news.

The man who last weekend became the 599th player to pull on a Panthers first grade jersey fits the bill nicely too.

Scott Sorensen is 28 years of age and

Journeyman Scott Sorensen made his club debut with Penrith last week.

made his debut eight seasons ago, but his first game as a Panther was just the 40th NRL game of his career.

You don’t get to stick around that long

having played so few games without being a tremendous clubman who possesses a great attitude.

The Cronulla-Caringbah junior debuted

for the Sharks in 2014, but the fairytale of a long and successful career playing for the one club that he’d always supported was just that – a fairytale.

Three appearances for the Sharks in that first season in the big time weren’t enough to lock down a contract in the Shire, and so began a succession of pit stops with the Rabbitohs, Mt Pritchard Mounties and Canberra Raiders, during which time Sorensen added the grand total of two more NRL appearances to his tally.

To make ends meet while rugby league wasn’t exactly showering him with money, he’d work shifts as a wharfie, just to stay on the journey of a career in footy.

Finding a way back to the Sharks in 2018, Sorensen was often fighting a Queenslander by the name of Kurt Capewell for the same position in the Sharks’ starting forward pack, and at that stage the odds of them both being in the same team in 2021, but with the Penrith Panthers, would have been the longest of long shots.

Last Thursday, the day before the lopsided win over their old club, Capewell presented Sorensen with his debut first grade jersey as a Panther – one of them now a series-winning State of Origin player with Queensland, the other still finding a way to remain on the journey, playing a role that might have its own moment in the spotlight if the Panthers keep on doing what they’ve done for the first two months of the season.

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WW41964

CLUB

PD

W

D

L

B

F

A

+/-

PTS

1

Panthers

9

9

0

0

0

260

60

+200 18

2

Eels

9

8

0

1

0

260

124

+136 16

3

Storm

9

7

0

2

0

292

108

+184 14

4

Rabbitohs

9

7

0

2

0

235

174

+61

14

5

Roosters

9

6

0

3

0

254

131

+123

12

6

Dragons

9

5

0

4

0

193

169

+24

10

7

Titans

9

4

0

5

0

218

219

-1

8

8

Warriors

9

4

0

5

0

189

216

-27

8

9

Sea Eagles

9

4

0

5

0

177

234

-57

8

10 Knights

9

4

0

5

0

161

220

-59

8

11

9

4

0

5

0

165

255

-90

8

12 Raiders

9

3

0

6

0

173

209

-36

6

13 Sharks

9

2

0

7

0

160

226

-66

4

Cowboys

14 Broncos 15 W. Tigers 16 Bulldogs

9 9 9

2 2 1

0 0 0

7 7 8

0 0 0

140 158 92

240 262 280

-100 -104 -188

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V

Friday, May 14 6.00pm Suncorp Stadium

V

Friday, May 14 8.05pm Suncorp Stadium

V

Saturday, May 15 3.00pm Suncorp Stadium

V

Saturday, May 15 5.30pm Suncorp Stadium

V

Saturday, May 15 7.45pm Suncorp Stadium

V

Sunday, May 16 1.50pm Suncorp Stadium

V

Sunday, May 16 4.05pm Suncorp Stadium

V

Sunday, May 16 6.25pm Suncorp Stadium

IS THIS YOU? ?

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.

Extra Time Issue Number 2021-010

4 2

Face In Th e Crowd

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, May 14, 2021

nrl ladder & fixtures

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

PRODUCED BY The Western Weekender EDITOR Troy Dodds / 4722 2998 troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au CONTRIBUTORS Nathan Taylor, Peter Lang, Warren Smith, Joel Caine SALES DIRECTOR Chris Pennisi / 4722 2998 chris.pennisi@westernweekender.com.au

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, May 14, 2021

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Friday, May 14, 2021 « the western weekender • extra time

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, May 14, 2021

Character and charm of Panthers Stadium at risk

lang on league

with Peter Lang

O

K, I’m going to put my hand up here, I admit I’m a dinosaur, a relic and probably one of the few people who don’t want to see a flashy new stadium built in the heart of Penrith.

I don’t mind if they want to do a bit of renovation work, a lick of paint here and there, even upgrade the corporate and food facilities. I don’t even mind if they want to spruce up the dressing sheds and put a few extra seats on the Howell Oval side of the stadium, but that’s where I draw the line.

The ‘Family Hill’, on the Ransley Street side, must remain. It’s part of what makes Penrith Stadium such a great suburban ground to go to. At the moment, the ground is the perfect mix of old and new, and it definitely doesn’t need to be knocked down and rebuilt.

By adding some extra seating on one hill you could increase the capacity of the stadium to a comfortable 22-23,000. More than enough to keep everyone happy.

I still remember the days when the old scoreboard would stop with five minutes to go at the end of the second half, so as to increase the tension and excitement of those final few minutes of a game. In fact, if it were up to me, I’d bring back the old scoreboard and place it strategically next to the giant electronic scoreboard.

Look I’m not saying that supporters don’t deserve a new stadium with all the bells and whistles that go along with it. I’m

An upgrade or complete rebuild of Penrith Stadium? That is the question. Photo: Megan Dunn.

simply saying that grounds with such character, with such charm and history like Penrith Stadium deserve to be preserved and celebrated – not just knocked down and replaced by a newer model.

What caught my eye last week...

The stunning performance of Penrith’s reserve grade side to beat the Newtown Jets 46-18 last Saturday deserves a special mention. With every NRL player in the Top 28 removed from the team, the Panthers

went in with nine Ron Massey Cup players and eight from Jersey Flegg... and they won!

Tigers, Sea Eagles, Raiders, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Eels, Storm, Panthers.

What game I’m looking forward to...

The Raiders taking on the Bulldogs. If Canberra can’t beat the worst team in the competition, then their season will be well and truly over. Currently Trent Barrett’s men couldn’t beat time with a stick. Raiders to win.

The final word...

I can almost hear the theme from ‘The Benny Hill Show’ ringing in my ears every time the NRL Bunker gets involved or doesn’t get involved in the decision-making process during a game. Throw a coin up in the air and yell ‘heads’ or ‘tails’, you’d get a better result. It really does need to be fixed once and for all.

My tips for the week...

extra minutes ! The NRL says Dragons player Jack de Belin will remain subject to the code’s No-Fault Stand Down policy for the time being. The 30-year-old was found not guilty of one of the charges laid against him earlier this week, with the jury unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the other charges. Prosecutors will now decide if they will pursue a third trial, which is unlikely. If they opt to drop the rape charges against de Belin, it would pave the way for him to return to the Dragons. ! Cronulla’s Jesse Remien will be out for at least the next month after suffering a fractured eye socket in his team’s loss to Penrith at BlueBet Stadium last Friday night. ! There’s plenty of entertainment on offer for crowds at Magic Round this weekend as a real festival of footy gets underway. Sneaky Sound System will perform two sets on Friday night, while the Stafford Brothers are in action on Saturday for three separate sets. Busby Marou highlights the entertainment schedule for Sunday.

! The NRL dramatically stood down several officials from their duties in The

Jack de Belin. Photo: NRL Photos.

Bunker last weekend after they initially missed an incident involving Parramatta’s Dylan Brown last Friday night. “We expect a high standard of performance from all of our match officials, and they are accountable for their performances just like everyone else in the game,” said Head of Football, Graham Annesley.

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! Channel Nine will show Saturday Night Football again this weekend as a one-off. With no Thursday Night Football this week due to Magic Round, Nine picks up an extra weekend game to ensure it still shows three free-to-air matches.

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