Extra Time March 20 2020

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Friday, March 20, 2020 « the western weekender • extra time

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, March 20, 2020

match preview

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The Panthers show some strong defence against the Roosters. Photo: Megan Dunn.

TROY DODDS

R

ugby league enters a surreal situation this weekend with games to be played in front of no fans, as the Coronavirus response ramps up across the world.

The Panthers travel to Kogarah for the early Friday night game against a St George- Illawarra side on a very short back- up after playing in Wollongong against Wests Tigers on Sunday night.

Dragons fans would be worried after what they saw against the Tigers – a 24-14 defeat and a side that, despite scoring in the opening minute of the game and leading for much of the contest, never really looked in control Penrith meantime surprised plenty across the rugby league landscape with an impressive come- from- behind win over defending premiers the Roosters at Panthers Stadium.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 20 | 6PM | NETSTRATA JUBILEE STADIUM | REFEREES: MATT CECCHIN & JON STONE While Penrith looked out of sorts in the first half, they really clicked into gear as the match progressed and absolutely dominated the Roosters in the second stanza, shutting them out of the contest and announcing themselves as a realistic top eight threat this year – if a top eight is ever determined, of course.

The usual suspects were in fine form – Nathan Cleary led the side well, Viliame Kikau crashed over when it mattered and Isaah Yeo was a menace, clocking up a team high 170 metres.

Api Koroisau’s return to Penrith was also a success – 59 tackles and a performance that had many fans relieved, with the side’s problem at hooker appearing to be resolved.

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has been forced to replace forward Jack Hetherington with Billy Burns on the bench, after

Hetherington was suspended – again – for a high tackle on Roosters fullback James Tedesco.

The Dragons also didn’t miss the ire of the match review committee, losing Tariq Sims for Friday night’s game after he was hit with a dangerous contact charge.

While they’ll be watching from the lounge room instead of the famous Kogarah hill, Dragons fans will be desperate to see their side collect their first win of the season and I’ve got no doubt there could be a big bounce back factor for Paul McGregor’s men after the disappointment of Sunday night against the Tigers.

For that reason I expect the Dragons to come out firing early, much like they did last weekend.

That should be no problem for a Penrith side that displayed impressive patience against the Roosters last week, and

PANTHERS

showed much more in attack than they did last season.

Again the likes of Cleary, Kikau and Yeo will be key, but after getting the cobwebs out it’d be nice to see strong performances from James Fisher- Harris, Moses Leota and Zane Tetevano this weekend. All three have the potential to offer so much to Penrith’s go-forward.

The Dragons are boosted by the return of Matt Dufty at fullback.

It’ll take both sides some time to get used the distinct lack of atmosphere at games, but eventually it’ll settle – and as Ivan Cleary said last week, they train that way every other day of the week anyway.

While I think the Dragons will improve on their first round efforts, I’m sensing back- to- back victories loom for the Panthers.

Tip: Panthers by 8.

DRAGONS

1 Caleb Aekins

10 Zane Tetevano

1 Matt Dufty

2 Josh Mansour

11 Viliame Kikau

2 Jordan Pereira

11 Tyson Frizell

3 Dean Whare

12 Isaah Yeo

3 Brayden Wiliame

12 Tyrell Fuimaono

4 Brent Naden

13 James Fisher-Harris

4 Timoteo Lafai

13 Blake Lawrie

5 Brian To’o

14 Stephen Crichton

5 Zac Lomax

14 Trent Merrin

6 Jarome Luai

15 Billy Burns

6 Corey Norman

15 Josh Kerr

7 Nathan Cleary

16 Moses Leota

7 Ben Hunt (c)

16 Billy Brittain

10 Paul Vaughan

8 James Tamou (c)

17 Liam Martin

8 James Graham

17 Jacob Host

9 Apisai Koroisau

18 Matt Burton 19 Jed Cartwright

9 Issac Luke

18 Jackson Ford

19 Adam Clune

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Friday, March 20, 2020 « the western weekender • extra time

panther rumblings

WITH THE MASKED PANTHER

KEEP YOUR DISTANCE! !

The Panthers have started to implement Coronavirus protection measures including keeping the media at least 1.5 metres away from players during interviews. As the picture on the right shows, it made for bizarre scenes at the Rugby League Academy on Monday afternoon when journalists were chatting to forward Viliame Kikau about last weekend’s game. Visitors have also been banned from using the bathrooms at the Academy. When nature called for a female journalist, she was told the Academy toilets were off-limits.

Social distancing in action.

Photo: Megan Dunn.

!

Penrith is playing a waiting game as far as its three home games scheduled for April are concerned. The side is on the road for the next fortnight to play the Dragons and Storm, but is then scheduled to return to Panthers Stadium to take on the Broncos, Raiders and Tigers in a three week run. Nobody knows if the NRL will still be running by then, so contingency plans are only pencilled in at this stage.

It would be a huge financial blow to the club if those three games go ahead without fans, and would have a major flow-on impact to the leagues club. It would have been anticipating huge crowds back at the club after the Saturday night game against the Broncos, and a huge family attendance as part of the Easter Sunday game against Canberra.

!

There’s some special people out there, highlighted by those desperate to find out what happens to their season ticket if the NRL season is cancelled. Never mind that the world is in a major health crisis, let’s worry about your season ticket to the football. I feel like these are the same people who have a special room in their house dedicated to toilet paper. For the record, the NRL is developing a whole of game response as to how members and sponsors are dealt with as a result of the Coronavirus shutting down attendances at matches.

!

The Coronavirus crisis means that Thursday night’s planned official opening of the new Basement sports bar at Panthers was called off earlier this week.

Club dignitaries and special guests were to gather at the impressive new bar to cut the ribbon. The bar remains open and is very impressive, with good numbers in attendance before and after last week’s game against the Roosters.

!

Forward Jack Hetherington has taken only one game to find himself in trouble with the NRL’s Match Review Committee. Hetherington was charged over a high tackle on Roosters fullback James Tedesco last Saturday night, and has subsequently been suspended for two matches.

!

Spotted: Emma Lawrence, who just happens to be the partner of new ground

The Panthers v Roosters match was Saturday’s most watched program on Foxtel, attracting an average of 247,000 viewers on Fox League.

deal with the club. A local St Marys junior, Smith first entered the Panthers’ development pathways at the age of 14 via the club’s Junior Elite Training Scheme (JETS). His representative honours include a man-of-the-match performance for the U16s NSW Origin team in 2016 and selection in the 2017 Australian Schoolboys side alongside Panthers teammates Spencer Leniu and Shawn Blore. A double shoulder reconstruction sidelined Smith in 2018 before he returned to play 19 games for the Panthers’ Jersey Flegg side last season.

!

!

announcer Zac Bailey, hosting proceedings in the Chairman’s Lounge at Panthers Stadium last Saturday night.

!

Spotted: Injured Panthers recruit Kurt Capewell being put to good use in the Chairman’s Lounge last Saturday night. He was in charge of handing out the ice creams for dessert.

!

Youngster Lindsay Smith will join Penrith’s top 30 squad for the 2021 and 2022 NRL seasons after a signing a new

Do you have a rumour or news story to share? You can email me at maskedpanther@westernweekender.com.au.

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, March 20, 2020

feature

PANTHERS ENTER A NEW WORLD P

anthers players are fully stocked up on toilet paper, have their very own bottle of hand sanitiser, and have even invented a new contactless way of doing fist bumps – welcome to the NRL in 2020.

While the future of the current rugby league season is shrouded in uncertainty due to COVID-19, it’s business as usual at Panthers with NRL games still set down for this weekend minus crowds.

Panthers are taking the health crisis very seriously by making sure each of their players are practicing good personal hygiene at training and at home.

Penrith centre Brent Naden said the club is doing everything it can to look after the players’ wellbeing.

“It’s just precautionary things like hand sanitisers – there’s one at every locker.

We’re also doing fist bumps instead of

shaking hands, and purely just keeping our distance,” he said.

“We are just being sensible, we’re not going too over the top, but it’s just practicing good personal hygiene. If everyone looks after themselves, we shouldn’t have a problem.”

After defeating the Sydney Roosters last Saturday night in front of a strong crowd at Panthers Stadium, the scene will look a whole lot different this evening when Penrith play the Dragons at Kogarah in front of essential staff only.

Panthers forward Isaah Yeo said he’s happy to play games without fans but it will be an unusual experience.

“We’re paid to play with or without a crowd… it’ll be like an opposed training session out there,” he said.

“The Dragons would love to have their home crowd there but that won’t be the case this week, I’m glad we’re not having a home game [until Round 4].

“It will be a bit different for both sides, but we are still preparing to play a game

Brent Naden showing off his contactless fist bumps. Photo: Megan Dunn. and perform for the people watching at home.”

With life changing so rapidly each and every day, it remains uncertain just how long the NRL can continue to play games amid the pandemic.

Players say they’ll continue to prepare for matches but will be guided by the NRL in terms of how long for.

“It’s hour by hour, day by day at the moment. We are preparing for the Dragons on Friday with no crowd, if that changes then it’s up to the NRL,” Yeo said.

“We’ll play if we have to play, it’s all in the NRL’s hands. All we are worried about is playing good footy whether that’s behind closed doors or in front of fans,” Naden added.

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NATHAN TAYLOR

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Friday, March 20, 2020 « the western weekender • extra time

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League’s new world has us all wondering what’s next

lang on league

with Peter Lang Diesel Fitter and workshop supervisor at Westrac in Casula. He cites the late Steve Waddell as the toughest man he has ever played with and believes the Panthers can make the Top 8 in 2020.

“It’s going to be a big year for Ivan Cleary and his son I think,” Bobby said.

What game I’m looking forward to...

New Zealand Warriors v Canberra Raiders at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday.

Under normal circumstances this game would not attract much attention however with all the drama surrounding the Warriors this week, it could very well be the last match they play in 2020. The Raiders will turn up ready to play so it’ll be up to the Warriors to block out all the noise, dig deep and win, not only for themselves but for their friends, family and all their loyal supporters.

What caught my eye last week...

The wonderful performance by the Penny Panthers against the reigning NRL Premiers and World Champions, the Sydney Roosters last Saturday night.

It didn’t look good when the home side found themselves 12 points down midway through the first half but this year’s team is made of sterner stuff. They look like a team who really play for each other and it was evident in every try celebration. My hat also goes off to the 10,000 plus spectators who turned up on a cold, windy and miserable night to watch what was a remarkable win.

This week I got the chance to catch up with Bobby Thompson who played 60 first grade games for the Panthers between 1995- 98. He then went to the

UK where he played with Salford for one season. Now retired from rugby league for almost 20 years, Bobby finds himself living back in Penrith and working as a

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Where are they now? – former Panthers back Bobby Thompson...

The Panthers celebrate a special win last weekend. Photo: Megan Dunn.

The final word...

It seems it will take more than a pandemic named Coronavirus to stop the 2020 NRL Premiership.

On the one hand, I really admire the resilience shown by NRL CEO Todd Greenberg and ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys to soldier on. To want to find a way to keep the competition going no matter what obstacles fall in its path in the days and weeks ahead.

On the other hand, it reeks a little of desperation.

Of having to keep a competition running, only because it can’t afford not to. At the end of the day, the welfare of the player both physical and mental must be the number one priority.

I believe it will only take one infected player or team official to stop the NRL Premiership in its tracks.

Perhaps at the end of the day the Coronavirus may save the competition from itself.

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, March 20, 2020

feature

PANTHERS KEEN TO KEEP WINNING NATHAN TAYLOR

P

anthers supporters breathed a huge sigh of relief on Saturday night when superstar forward Viliame Kikau returned to the field to score the match-winning try over the Roosters.

The 24-year-old Fijian backrower left the game in the first half with a what appeared to be a serious shoulder injury, however he managed to return in the second to put the Panthers in front.

Speaking with the media on Monday, Kikau said he was just dealing with a ‘stinger’ in his right shoulder, but he initially feared his diagnosis would be much worse.

“At first I heard a weird cracking sound, I thought I was gone because on the next play I went to play hooker and I couldn’t pass the ball – I couldn’t feel my arm – but luckily I’m all good,” he said.

“I got a good stinger on my shoulder. I

thought I heard a crack but when I came off, I did all the testing and was declared all good.”

When teammate Isaah Yeo saw Kikau coming from the field with his arm in a makeshift jersey sling, he was very concerned.

“I saw his arm in the jersey and I thought ‘oh no’, I bet Ivan (coach) was thinking that as well,” Yeo said.

“He’s very important to the side and as far as I know it was just a stinger and he came back on. I’m glad he did return because he scored a good try. We’re a much better side when he’s on the field.”

Penrith will aim for back to back wins to start the season when they travel to Kogarah on Friday night to face the Dragons.

While there will be no crowd in attendance at tonight’s game, Yeo said his side took plenty of confidence out of their come from behind 20- 14 win over the Premiers last weekend.

“It was a massive win… the start we had wasn’t ideal, but I thought we rallied

Isaah Yeo starred in Penrith’s win over the Roosters last Saturday. Photo: Megan Dunn. pre-season and believing in one another.

“That comes down to trusting what Baz, Ciro and Ivan enforced during the preseason, just trusting the process, grinding together and sticking it out,” he said.

“You get a bit of confidence out of a win like that but you can’t get too cocky, there’s a lot to work on still.”

around each other really well,” he said.

“There wasn’t any panic at any stage and I think the way we were able to perform against the reigning Premiers and World Club Champions was really pleasing.”

Panthers centre Brent Naden, who scored a try in the match, said the grind out win could be put down to a strong

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Friday, March 20, 2020 « the western weekender • extra time

Captain’s Challenge delivers a positive unintended consequence

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warren smith W

hen the NRL decided to give the idea of a Captain’s Challenge the green light for this year’s NRL competition it was hard to imagine how much of an influence it was going to have over the course of the 80 minutes of a game.

You only get one incorrect challenge per team, after all, and depending on the scoreline and flow of a game there was every chance a captain might never have the need to use it.

Or, he might listen too intently to an aggrieved front rower and challenge a knock- on call the first time a ball hit the deck.

After the first round of the season there’s already a few big men who’ll be getting the ‘talk to the hand’ treatment from their captain if they so much as glance at him after coming up empty in the play- theball.

There were more incorrect challenges than correct ones over the course of the weekend, and the longer the round went the more it became apparent that an unintended consequence of the new system was seeing somebody other than referees make the occasional mistake when it came to decision-making.

Before the Captain’s Challenge, the only person on the field who ever made a mistake on a split second call was the

referee, but suddenly the players were given the chance to play whistleblower and in more cases than not they got it wrong.

Showing how difficult the job of controlling an NRL game can be was not what the crew at League Central was thinking when they brought in the new initiative, but when the players make mistakes on judgement calls it helps show the fans just how tough it can be to get every call in a game right.

The refs make the odd mistake, and now the players do as well.

If nothing else, it was refreshing to see how it all played out last weekend.

You’d imagine the players will get a better feel for what is worth challenging and when it might be best to keep their options open for later in the match, but for the moment I get the impression that they might have found an extra level of respect for the job the referees have always had to do.

To err is human, after all, and to see the way it all panned out in Round 1 has made this particular Captain’s Challenge sceptic a true believer!

Referees got it right more than not after a weekend of Captain’s Challenges.

Hear Warren Smith calling matches on Fox League. Watch your team every round, live and ad- break free on Fox League on Foxtel.

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PD

W

D

L

B

F

A

+/-

PTS

1

Knights

1

1

0

0

0

20

0

+20

2

2

Raiders

1

1

0

0

0

24

6

+18

2

3

Storm

1

1

0

0

0

18

4

+14

2

4

W. Tigers

1

1

0

0

0

24

14

+10

2

5

Broncos

1

1

0

0

0

28

21

+7

2

6

Eels

1

1

0

0

0

8

2

+6

2

7

Panthers

1

1

0

0

0

20

14

+6

2

8

Rabbitohs

1

1

0

0

0

22

18

+4

2

9

Sharks

1

0

0

1

0

18

22

-4

0

10 Roosters

1

0

0

1

0

14

20

-6

0

11

Bulldogs

1

0

0

1

0

2

8

-6

0

12 Cowboys

1

0

0

1

0

21

28

-7

0

13 Dragons

1

0

0

1

0

14

24

-10

0

14 Sea Eagles

1

0

0

1

0

4

18

-14

0

15 Titans

1

0

0

1

0

6

24

-18

0

16 Warriors

1

0

0

1

0

0

20

-20

0

4732 6007

ROUND 2 V

Thursday, March 19 8.05pm ANZ Stadium

V

Friday, March 20 6.00pm Kogarah Oval

V

Friday, March 20 8.05pm Suncorp Stadium

V

Saturday, March 21 3.00pm C Cbus Super Stadium

V

Saturday, March 21 5.30pm Leichhardt Oval

V

Saturday, March 21 7.35pm Kogarah Oval

V

Sunday, March 22 4.05pm Leichhardt Oval

V

Sunday, March 22 6.15pm Cbus Super Stadium

Face In Th e Crowd

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Extra Time Issue Number 2020-002 PRODUCED BY The Western Weekender EDITOR Troy Dodds / 4722 2998 troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au CONTRIBUTORS Nathan Taylor / Clinton Maynard / Peter Lang SALES DIRECTOR Chris Pennisi / 4722 2998 chris.pennisi@westernweekender.com.au

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Friday, March 20, 2020 « the western weekender • extra time

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clinton maynard R

ugby league has never experienced a start to a season like this before.

The panic that has swept the world triggered by the Coronavirus (COVID- 19) means whether the competition continues will be a week to week proposition.

The NRL is doing everything within its powers to ensure football continues, as they’ve warned the consequences will be dire for the clubs if TV broadcast revenue dries up. There are many solutions being put forward and it’s such a complex global problem no one really has the answer.

I can offer one suggestion. The NRL has made it clear for the moment it needs to keep playing games to ensure broadcast agreements are met and vital revenue is generated. It’s been left with the unattractive proposition of playing games in empty stadiums. This is the result of understandable directive from the Government, in an effort to do as much as possible to protect public health.

However perhaps there is a way to continue to protect our health and ensure clubs still generate game day and membership revenue and give the players some sort of audience and atmosphere.

The solution is ANZ Stadium. I hate ANZ Stadium as much as any league supporter, it’s a ground without a soul, unless it’s filled with 80,000 people on Grand Final

Nathan Cleary playing at ANZ Stadium. Photo: Megan Dunn.

day. However its greatest flaw, its carnivorous size could actually be the saviour of the game.

I watched Cronulla play Souths there last weekend. There was no one else in my row, just me and my daughter. That wasn’t because people are staying away from ANZ Stadium, even with a crowd of 15,000 people you’d be lucky to come into contact with another fan without getting out of your seat and going for a light run.

So why not play all games at ANZ across the four days of each round?

The NRL can spread the crowd out around the ground so the most in any one section would be say 50 people. It would be well down on the Government’s mandate of no public events of 500 people or more outdoors.

It’s a left field suggestion, but if it saves clubs from having to provide membership refunds and allows them to continue to generate some revenue from ticket sales and game day merchandise while not putting fans’ health at any further risk surely it’s worth consideration.

The reality is, if you walk into any supermarket at the moment, packed with panic buying customers, you have a much greater chance of picking up a disease through close contact than you would at an 80 per cent empty ANZ Stadium.

Food for thought?

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, March 20, 2020

Could ANZ Stadium be rugby league’s saving grace?

extra minutes !

The NRL will march ahead this weekend with matches to be played behind closed doors due to the Coronavirus restrictions. “We understand and appreciate the variety of different opinions raised by players, commentators and coaches and we are always listening but it remains our plan to continue to play games in round two this weekend,” said NRL CEO Todd Greenberg.

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The English Super League has been suspended due to the global Coronavirus pandemic. At this stage, games are off until April 3. “The Super League clubs discussed a range of contingency plans with the RFL at their board meeting in Huddersfield, and the situation will be reviewed with broadcasters and sponsors throughout the initial suspension,” a statement said.

through these troubled times, and is getting plenty of praise from clubs and fans.

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The Roosters moved their clash against Manly this weekend to Leichhardt Oval from Central Coast Stadium.

With games being played behind closed doors for now, you can expect to see several more sensible venue switches in the coming rounds.

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The Coronavirus pandemic has given NRL CEO Todd Greenberg a stay of execution. While a decision on Greenberg’s future was likely to be made this week, the planned agenda for the ARLC has been suspended while the game works through the virus dramas.

Greenberg is handling himself well

New NRL trading cards are out now.

Channel Nine has commenced calling games from the studio during the Coronavirus pandemic, in an effort to protect the health of their commentators. At this stage Fox League remains at the ground. The 2GB Continuous Call Team was also at grounds across the weekend.

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If you want to re-live your childhood, make sure you get your hands on some 2020 NRL Trading Cards, which are now on sale. While you can pick up single packets at various retailers, you can also secure a full box for $140.00 from nrlgamecards.com.

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Friday, March 20, 2020 ÂŤ the western weekender

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