FRI 26 SEP 2014 • Issue 030
PROUDLY INDEPENDENT
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NSW CUP Panthers v Knights Complete coverage inside today + PANTHER RUMBLINGS + LUKE PRIDDIS + ERIN MOLAN + PLAYER INTERVIEWS
One game, one chance Panthers face Bulldogs in biggest game of 2014 p.3
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Friday 26 September 2014 the western weekender
D E N G I S A N WI Y E S R E J S R E H T PAN To enter send your receipt or proof of purchase including your name and contact details to: Panthers Jersey Promo, Suite 2/42-44 Abel St, Jamisontown 2750 or place into the barrel located at Centre Court on level 1 at Westfield Penrith. Terms & conditions: Authorised under NSW Permit Number LTPM/14/00047. Terms and conditions available from www.westernweekender.com.au or Western Weekender reception.
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PENRITH PANTHERS
PREVIEW
Matt Moylan Josh Mansour Dean Whare Jamal Idris Dallin Watene-Zelezniak Will Smith Jamie Soward (c) Sam McKendry James Segeyaro Brent Kite Sika Manu Matt Robinson Nigel Plum Adam Docker Jeremy Latimore Ben Murdoch-Masila Lewis Brown
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Sam Perrett Corey Thompson Josh Morris Tim Lafai Mitch Brown Josh Reynolds Trent Hodkinson Aiden Tolman Michael Ennis (c) James Graham Josh Jackson Tony Williams Greg Eastwood Reni Maitua Dale Finucane David Klemmer Frank Pritchard
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Adam Docker, who returns from suspension this week, against the Bulldogs earlier this year. Photo: Melinda Jane
Biggest game of their lives TROY DODDS
@troydodds
Penrith Panthers v Canterbury Bulldogs KICK-OFF: 27/9 • 7.55PM ANZ Stadium Referees: Shayne Hayne and Gavin Badger TV: Channel Nine Live 7.55pm Radio: 2GB Live 7.55pm
matter how you did it or what hurdles you had to jump. The Bulldogs were helped this week with news that Michael Ennis and Josh Jackson had escaped penalty over incidents in last week’s 17-16 win over Manly, avoiding possible suspensions and a disrupted preparation. Coach Des Hasler already has his work cut out for him, admitting that his side would mainly rest and recover in the first half of the week before getting into serious preparations in the latter stages of the build-up. Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has been able to structure his build-up in a more comfortable manner, and there can be no questioning the fitness of the players that will run out on Saturday night. The halves battle is the big key here. Trent Hodkinson had a special game last weekend while Josh Reynolds appears to have calmed down somewhat and is playing the reliable, energetic role that he was prior to the State of Origin series. On the Penrith side of the fence, Jamie Soward has without doubt lapped up the attention and focus in the past two weeks, something that has been well deserved given his form on the field.
Soward will again lead the show this weekend with Will Smith taking a back seat against the club he made his debut against in round 21. Penrith will not shake-up their game plan too much this weekend – the overall goal of competing for 80 minutes and never giving up will remain the same. The side will be looking to increase the speed of their play-the-balls – something that was a little off against the Roosters a fortnight ago – and will need to watch their discipline, as I doubt the Bulldogs will give up as much ball as the Roosters did in the opening weekend of the Finals. The Panthers welcome back Adam Docker from suspension, a much-needed boost to the side’s forward pack, and he will certainly be refreshed and revived after three weeks on the sideline. A lot of what happens on Saturday night will come down to what the players believe can and should happen. The big occasion this is should not be lost on them or played down. After almost 50 seasons in top grade football, Penrith has only reached the big one three times. This group has a chance to make history. Tip: Panthers by 8
Friday 26 September 2014 the western weekender
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t is so near, yet so far. The Penrith Panthers are just 80 minutes away from their first Grand Final appearance in more than a decade, but there is a formidable opponent standing in their way this Saturday night at ANZ Stadium. Canterbury have surprised most by their Finals form so far, defeating the highly fancied Melbourne in week one and getting rid of Manly, albeit in closer circumstances, last weekend. The Bulldogs now have the chance to
qualify for the Grand Final from seventh position, a remarkable feat and one that is incredibly surprising given their results prior to the Finals. Penrith sat back and watched last weekend, enjoying a well-deserved rest before they enter the cauldron on Saturday evening. They would have been encouraged by the closeness of the game and the fact it went into golden point – every little bit of advantage you can get is critical in games like this. That’s why the Panthers trained behind closed doors at ANZ Stadium on Tuesday, to get a feel for a venue they have so rarely played at. Penrith would be buoyed by the fact they’ve already beaten the Bulldogs twice this season – once thanks to a Matt Moylan conversion after the siren at Penrith Stadium, and once in more comfortable circumstances at ANZ Stadium. Truth is none of that really matters come 7.55pm Saturday night. No matter what you’ve done all season, or even last weekend, it all comes down to 80 minutes of football. If you’ve managed to get here, you deserve it, but to be honest it doesn’t really
FEATURE STORY
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Plum’s chance Panthers forward Nigel Plum says playing in a Grand Final would be a dream come true
NATHAN TAYLOR
H
Friday 26 September 2014 the western weekender
Nigel Plum speaking to the media on Tuesday. Photo: Melinda Jane
@natetaylor87
e’s one of the most feared forwards in the NRL due to his bone crunching hits game after game, but Panthers prop Nigel Plum admits he’ll have his work cut out for him this Saturday night at ANZ Stadium. Canterbury boast one of the toughest and strongest forward packs in the game with Plum admitting it will be one hell of a task to shut down James Graham and the rest of his Bulldogs teammates. “The Bulldogs pack is up there as one of the best,” Plum told the media on Tuesday. “They’ve got some great impact players that will get through some work and do a good job. It’ll be a massive challenge ahead of us to shut them down.” This Saturday night’s Preliminary Final will be the third meeting between the Panthers and Bulldogs in season 2014, with Penrith coming away with the chocolates on both occasions so far this year. Plum said he’s expecting the Bulldogs to throw a lot more at his side than they did back in Round 3 and Round 21.
“We’re expecting the same from them again plus a lot more, they’re going to be fired up,” he said. “They’re coming off two good wins but it’ll be a good challenge for us and something we’re looking forward to.” After missing out on Penrith’s last finals campaign in 2010, Plum said he’s feeling “pretty relaxed” heading into the biggest and most important game of his 10 year career tomorrow night. He admits a Grand Final berth a week later would be a dream come true. “I think any player would love to win this game to have the opportunity to play in a Grand Final, it’s what every player wants to do,” he said. “[The Preliminary Final] will be by far the biggest game I’ve played in and I’m really excited but I’m quite calm about it too. “I’m just going to treat this game the same as I did last week against the Roosters and see how we go. “I’m really looking forward to getting out there and if we get a win, it’ll be great to play in a Grand Final… it’ll be something special.”
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FEATURE STORY
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Docker back for blockbuster @natetaylor87
He hasn’t played since that heartbreaking loss to Manly, and Adam Docker says he can’t wait to get back on the field this Saturday
S
erving a two game suspension for a dangerous throw, Panthers lock Adam Docker couldn’t stand watching his teammates defeat the Sydney Roosters a fortnight ago. The 19-18 win over the defending Premiers at Allianz Stadium was branded as one of the greatest wins in the club’s history but 23-year-old Docker admits it was tough to watch. “I hated watching the boys play,” he told Extra Time. “Just for the fact I wasn’t out there helping them in the Finals, it sucked sitting out.” When Docker hits the field this Saturday night against the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium, it’ll be the biggest game of his career to date but it’ll also be the first time he’s played a game of footy since that Sunday afternoon at Brookvale Oval in Round 25. Docker admits when he was put on report for a dangerous throw on Manly’s Jason King, that he knew he would be in some trouble. “Straight away when I did it I knew something was going to happen, I knew I’d get suspended for it,” he said. “I had 80 carry over points from the week before and I was sure they were going to pick something up from that tackle.”
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NATHAN TAYLOR
Adam Docker returns from suspension this weekend. Photo: Melinda Jane After spending four weeks on the sidelines due to suspension and Penrith’s week off, Docker can’t wait to return to what he does best tomorrow night. Although, he revealed he won’t be as fresh from the rest as many people may think. “You would think I would but I’ve had an injury, my knee’s been playing up,” he said.
“I thought a couple of weeks off would’ve done it good but it really hasn’t. I just have to maintain it. I’m still good to play and I can’t wait to play.” If Penrith make next Sunday’s Grand Final it’ll cap off a remarkable second full season for the young lock, who last week picked up the John Farragher Award for Courage and Determination.
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FEATURE STORY
Ivan and Des share the love I TROY DODDS
@troydodds
The Panthers and Bulldogs will face off on Saturday night, but Ivan Cleary and Des Hasler showed no signs of rivalry at a press conference on Monday morning
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we are and we just try to make it hard for teams to beat us.” Cleary knows he faces an almighty challenge against the Bulldogs on Saturday night given their Finals form. “We’ll be doing our best, obviously they’ve been there and done that and are coming into form at the right time of the year,” he said.
Cleary said his team hasn’t focused too much on its underdog status, particularly in the latter part of the season. “We haven’t discussed it really. The reality is that if you’re constantly being told you can’t, then it’s a little source of motivation but it hasn’t been something we’ve bought into too much,” he said. “We understand who we are and what
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van Cleary and Des Hasler will be bitter rivals this Saturday night at ANZ Stadium, but on Monday the pair went on a trip down memory lane. Showing no signs of the intense competition that exists between their clubs on the weekend, Cleary and Hasler reminisced about old times at a press conference involving all four coaches from the remaining clubs. “When I was at Manly, Des used to make everyone coffee,” Cleary said. “That was my first memory of Des – he was such a nice bloke.” Hasler returned the praise. “Ivan was a classy fullback... cool, calm ... and he’s still got that same temperament now,” he said. “I think Penrith have been outstanding this year. One thing about Penrith is they’ve constantly defied the odds and the critics out there and it’s a tremendous effort. “You tend to appreciate the work that Ivan has done and Gus out there... to get to this stage, they’ll be very tough Saturday night.” Cleary said he enjoyed the Bulldogs’ thrilling match with Manly last Saturday night, which led Hasler to quip: “I’m glad Ivan enjoyed it, because I didn’t”.
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PANTHERS V BULLDOGS
Friday 26 September 2014 the western weekender
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Send your Panthers gossip at news@westernweekender.com.au
Penrith’s first grade squad along with coach Ivan Cleary and head trainer Ron Palmer took time out to head to Leichhardt Oval last Sunday afternoon to support the NSW Cup side in their Preliminary Final. Cleary looked very relaxed chilling out on the hill, while Palmer was enjoying his afternoon with a can of VB. Great stuff! The Panthers have been fined $20,000 by the NRL for an incident in the round 26 match against the Warriors involving Jamal Idris. Idris was not taken off the field for a concussion test despite copping what appeared to be a very severe
Channel Nine’s Tim Gilbert with athletics superstar Usain Bolt
knock to the head during the match. “Players must be taken from the field for a SCAT test if they show any signs of concussion and this did not happen with Jamal,” Todd Greenberg from the NRL said. Mr Greenberg said the NRL had suspended $10,000 of the fine and the Panthers will be liable to pay this if there are any further breaches of the concussion rules in the next 12 months.
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PANTHER RUMBLINGS
He’s the fastest man in the world, and he’s now a Panthers fan. Channel Nine’s Tim Gilbert presented Usain Bolt with his Panthers jersey last Sunday. Our next mission is to catch the superstar athlete wearing the jersey out and about somewhere! I’ve got a big prize ready for somebody who captures it.
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The Masked Panther spat out his cup of tea and scotch finger on Monday morning when news came through that the NRL Match Review Committee had found Josh Jackson and Michael Ennis had no cases to answer over separate incidents last weekend. Both incidents looked like they deserved to attract a charge, but somehow they’ve escaped any scrutiny. It’s a stunning decision that Panthers fans are rightly questioning. Jamal Idris Ben Murdoch-Masila has opened up for the first time about the death of his former Wests Tigers team mate Mosese Fotuaika last year. “I dropped him off and told him ‘I’ll see you in an hour’, but I never saw him again,” Murdoch-Masila told Fairfax Media. “He said a couple of things in the car, asking if we could go to the pub. I told him ‘nah, we’ll just go chill with the boys’, and he just said, ‘OK then, OK then’. He was quiet throughout the whole drive home. He started crying in the car. Deep down, I know he made the decision in my car. I told him I had clothes at my house and we’ll get changed there, but he said ‘nah, take me home’. I came back to pick him up but he didn’t answer. Just knowing he was just on the other side of the garage, I had nightmares thinking I could have stopped it or saved him. I was angry. I felt guilty. I felt it was something I could have stopped.” I realise the NRL Preliminary Finals are a premium event, but I think the ticket prices are a little high this year. I’m all for the NRL charging what it likes for State of Origin or the Grand Final as the stadium is generally a sell-out hence the demand for tickets matches the high prices. But there is no way on Earth that Saturday’s clash between Canterbury and Penrith will
attract anywhere near 80,000 – in fact, I think it might struggle to attract half that. You have to wonder then, why the NRL persist with high ticket prices for matches, when demand for tickets clearly doesn’t match the eventual crowd. Penrith are still in the market for a prop next season and the likely candidates remain Russell Packer and Willie Mason. While the Panthers are still looking elsewhere for potential other candidates, Packer is the most likely player to find his way into a Panthers jumper as long as the NRL approves his registration, which will be a difficult hurdle. A quirk of the system means that Penrith will have played both their Finals matches at the regular season home ground of their opposition (the Roosters at Allianz and Canterbury at ANZ). And if Penrith do make it to the Grand Final and play Souths, they will have played all of their Finals matches plus the Grand Final at the home ground of their opponents. Kevin Kingston will have a new coaching role with the Panthers next season. The retiring club captain will work as an assistant in the Holden Cup.
Friday 26 September 2014 the western weekender
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Four left in race for premiership
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PRIDDO'S POINT LUKE PRIDDIS
Luke Priddis won a Grand Final with Penrith in 2003 and is a former Clive Churchill Medal winner
Then there were four and soon to be two. Whatever way it ends this week we will have a Grand Final with a team from the city versus a team from the west. Here’s hoping that the Panthers are the side to fill that spot and at the Luke Priddis Foundation Grand Final Lunch Wayne Bennett, Tim Sheens and 2003 skipper Craig Gower will be discussing why the 2014 Panthers side can win the club’s third title and have another Clive Churchill Medal winner’s name on the honour board as I have been very lonely over the years despite Royce (No.2) insisting he is there in spirit. The Panthers have been the side everyone has been thinking would fall over and I am honest enough to admit that I didn’t believe that they were able to win the title. Why, because they didn’t have the star power or maturity to get over the line in the big games against more seasoned opposition. It was the game against the Sea Eagles at Brookvale that changed my mind. Despite the way in which they lost, the maturity shown by the younger players to bounce back the following week stuck in my head and was the reason I had no issue predicting they would topple the Roosters in the first week of the semis.
Roycie and Priddo The maturity that these young players have developed in the back third of the season has allowed the side to overcome the hurdles that have been placed in their way. A big part of it stems from the fact that a lot of these local juniors coming through the ranks have been part of successful junior rep sides and it is credit to Ivan and the entire coaching and development staff that they are tapping into this and have developed a clear pathway for these players to continue to develop. This week is do or die and the Bulldogs have shown over recent weeks they have found the ‘smarts’ to go with the grit and
determination the Bulldogs are famous for. It all comes down to the battle of the forwards as I certainly believe Penrith has the more creative players in key positions. If they can negate the big Dogs in the middle their halves then struggle to ignite their backline and overplay their hands in trying to do so which leads to the errors that crippled their run home into the semis. High expectations are set for the other final this weekend but I believe that one of these sides is going to crack and this game will not be as close as people think. The big question will be who? The Roosters have still been far from the side that dominated in 2013 and are still failing to put 80 minutes together, while the big CHOKING tag still sits over the Bunnies more because their star players can let their emotions get the better of them at times. Having to make a call I am going to say that we will be watching an epic Penrith verses Souths Grand Final that I predict will be the biggest for some time and I already have my ticket. I am confident I will be back next week for one last prediction of the BIG ONE but if the footy gods decide it is not to be then I hope you have enjoyed my thoughts this year and I will see you all around the traps!
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Kevin deserves plenty of praise MOMENT WITH MOLAN ERIN MOLAN
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Catch Erin on ‘The Footy Show’ every Thursday night at 8.30pm on Channel Nine
Kevin Kingston will play in the NSW Cup Grand Final on Sunday fine’ and I think it’s testament to what kind of a man he is, particularly since the club weren’t even going to re-sign him for this season and told him to look elsewhere last year. There’s never been any bitterness in him and he’s an absolute professional. It would mean the world for Kingston to play this Saturday night against the Bulldogs, he probably deserves to be there based on his attitude alone. However, there’s a very talented hooker by the name of James Segeyaro that will play in King-
ston’s place and I don’t think too many people will debate coach Ivan Cleary’s choice on that one. Back to action on the field and this year’s NRL competition has to be one of the best ever. Imagine if the Panthers won it all? I’d certainly love to see them do so. For the Panthers to make next week’s Grand Final and win it with the roster they have and, not to mention, all their injuries would just be phenomenal. It would be the rugby league story of the century.
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I can’t wait for this weekend’s Preliminary Finals starting with the Sydney Roosters up against the South Sydney Rabbitohs tonight. A lot of people thought this game would happen a week later in the Grand Final but I love the fact that it’s going to be one team in next week’s decider that everyone thought would make it along with another team that not a lot of people expected would be there. While everyone is talking up tonight’s Roosters and Rabbitohs clash, I think the Panthers vs Bulldogs Final tomorrow night will be the better game. These two teams do nothing but fight and win, even when no one gives them a chance. More on that game later but I wanted to pay tribute to one Panthers player who won’t be playing this Saturday night but will the following day in the NSW Cup Grand Final, that’s outgoing captain Kevin Kingston. The attitude of Kevin Kingston throughout what was a difficult year for him with injury is something to be admired. He’s always there for his teammates each week knowing he’s no guarantee to play first grade but he’s there just in case. Kingston has never had an arrogant attitude like ‘if you don’t want me, then
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PANTHERS IN PICTURES A new generation of fans has enjoyed a great season
The fans go wild for Penrith
Celebrating in pink!
It’s been an incredible season for the Panthers, and the fans have soaked up the success throughout the year. Photographer Melinda Jane captured some of the action in the grandstands during the 2014 NRL season @wwpenrith
Friday 26 September 2014 the western weekender
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1. Youngsters have enjoyed a successful 2014 season 2. Fans celebrate in the stands 3. There’s been fun and nerves in the stands this season 4. Fans celebrate a try Photos: Melinda Jane
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THE FOOTY SHOW
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See year’s biggest show live extra time
Michael Slater, Erin Molan, Paul Vautin, Darryl Brohman and Beau Ryan make up ‘The Footy Show’ team
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together before kick-off in the decider. The entire ‘Footy Show’ team will be there as well as some of the biggest stars of the NRL in the live Player Revue. The show will look back at some of the best bits of the year and they have a very special Kick For Cash.
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Producers are promising it’ll be the biggest ‘Footy Show’ Grand Final edition yet. See all your ‘Footy Show’ favourites live; Fatty, Slats, Erin, The Big Marn and of course Beau Ryan, as well as both Grand Final teams in their final appearance
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t’s one of the biggest TV events of the year – the Grand Final edition of ‘The Footy Show’. Rugby league fans are encouraged to get along and see the show live at Qantas Credit Union Arena on Thursday, October 2.
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If you have a rugby league book on your bookshelf, there’s a good chance it was written by well-known Australian author Alan Whiticker. Mr Whiticker, who is a self-confessed Penrith Panthers supporter, has written 40 books over his 25 year career with 20 of them relating to the great game of rugby league. His latest book titled Mud, Blood and Beer centres around one of the greatest eras of rugby league – the 1970s. For the entire decade the same 12 teams – Norths, Souths, Easts and Wests, the four points of the Sydney compass; Penrith and Parramatta, in Sydney’s outer west; Canterbury and Cronulla, Balmain, Newtown, Manly and St George – created their own private universe of champions, controversy and memorable matches. The 1970s was also the decade of tobacco sponsorship, semi-professionalism, colour TV, midweek cups and real Test matches and World Cup competitions. This book looks at all the major controversies of the era, the fights and feuds and the ‘mud, blood and beer’ spilt by such great names as Langlands, Fulton, McCarthy, Raudonikis, Rogers and Cronin. The book goes into great detail about the biggest stories of the decade, some of the most memorable games and many of the great memories Alan Whiticker himself has of this era as a fan of the Penrith Panthers. Mud, Blood and Beer is released on
October 1 and is a great present for anyone who would remember that era or loves rugby league. Extra Time has six copies of Mud, Blood and Beer to give away. For your chance to win one, tell us your favourite rugby league moment of the 1970s. Send your answer along with you name and contact phone number to competitions@westernweekender.com.au. Entries close Friday, October 3. Authorised under NSW Permit Number LTPM/14/00047. Terms and conditions at www.westernweekender.com.au or Weekender reception.
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NSW CUP
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@theriffmarn
After a first half shock, Penrith turned on the flair to defeat the Magpies and progress to the NSW Cup Grand Final this Sunday
enrith overcame an indifferent first half performance to record a comfortable 31-12 win over Wentworthville at Leichhardt Oval to book their spot into this Sunday’s NSW Cup Grand Final at Allianz Stadium where they will take on the second placed Newcastle Knights. Penrith came into the match boosted by the return from injury of David Simmons, Isaah Yeo and Kevin Kingston and it was Kingston who got Penrith off to a quick start taking advantage of some sloppy marker defence to burst clear before finding Ryan Simpkins to score underneath the posts. Wentworthville, on the back of a heavy 6-1 penalty count, began to dominate possession and territory and it was no surprise to see them take a 12-6 lead midway through the first half with tries to Jake Butler-Fleming and Danny Howard, both converted by Luke Kelly. A rare error just before half-time allowed Penrith to level the scores after a quick shift left from the scrum, saw Yeo burst through the line before finding Kevin Naiqama to complete an 80 metre try in the left corner and with brother Wes on the bench, it was left to Tom Humble to convert from the sideline.
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and Simmons. The lead trebled 10 minutes later with Luke Capewell scoring the best try of the game, which started on half-way with Moss wrapping around Nathan Smith before he and Waqa Blake combined to put Wes Naiqama away down the right touchline before turning it back inside to Kingston who found the five-eighth backing up to score.
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STEWART MOSES
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Panthers finish off Magpies P
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NSW CUP
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STEWART MOSES
@theriffmarn
The NSW Cup Grand Final will be played this Sunday with Kevin Kingston hoping to lead the Panthers to their first “reserve grade” title in almost 30 years
t’s Team 1 v Team 2 when minor premiers, Penrith take on Newcastle at Allianz Stadium this Sunday at 3pm in the NSW Cup Grand Final. Apart from the trophy and glory of winning the premiership, there’s the additional prize of playing against Queensland’s Intrust Super Cup premiers on NRL Grand Final Day up for grabs. Penrith come into this game having won seven games straight and given their 22-4 season record, go in as firm favourites to take out their first “reserve grade” title since 1987. Newcastle are worthy opponents having won nine games straight and qualified with an impressive 34-10 win over Illawarra last Sunday. The experienced Rick Stone will be looking to sign off his time as NSW Cup coach with the title before taking over Newcastle’s NRL reins, ironically against his main rival for that position and one-time former colleague, Garth Brennan, who is looking to add this title to the Holden Cup he won in 2013. On the field, two veterans lead these two teams in the shape of Kevin Kingston and Matt Hilder, who came face to face at a media event in Sydney on Monday. Garth Brennan has named an extended squad with Campbell-Gillard & Tia Kilifi
Matt Hilder and Kevin Kingston with the NSW Cup trophy. Photo: Rugby League Review cleared of injury but excludes Kevin Naiqama (NRL) and David Simmons (ankle) replaced by Tom Eisenhuth, Daniel Foster and Liam Ayoub. The side still features nine players with 538 NRL games worth of experience. Newcastle have also named an extended squad that features 12 players with 711 NRL games worth of experience including the
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Veterans lead the charge I
likes of Josh Mantellato, Chanel Mata’utia, Michael Dobson, Sam Matoara, Travis Waddell and Hilder, with Clint Newton and Timana Tahu also lining up against their former club. Penrith’s mix of experience and youthful flair particularly in its halves should prove to be the difference in what will be a closely fought affair.
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FEATURE STORY
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TROY DODDS
@troydodds
Arch rivals for more than a century, the Roosters and Rabbitohs do battle on Friday night for the right to play in the Grand Final
otentially the most explosive game of the season will come on the NRL’s second last weekend when the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs do battle at ANZ Stadium on Friday evening. For the Roosters, the defence of their 2013 title is on the line while for the Rabbitohs, it is a chance to right the wrongs of the past two seasons. Souths have been beaten in two consecutive Preliminary Finals, and will be desperate to go one step closer and qualify for the Grand Final against either the Bulldogs or Panthers next weekend. This game provides an intriguing storyline in its own right, but the sub-plots are just as juicy. On the Roosters side of the fence, it could be the last game for retiring captain Anthony Minichiello and outgoing PR machine Sonny Bill Williams. At the Rabbitohs, the dominance of the Burgess brothers may end on Friday night if it turns out big Sam has played his last game for the club. The Roosters have found their way into the Preliminary Final the hard way. They went down 19-18 to the Panthers in week one, and last weekend almost gave up a 30-0 lead against the Cowboys, only
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Old foes go head to head P
Rabbitohs fans are hoping this is their year escaping with a 31-30 victory. The path was much smoother for the Rabbitohs who had disposed of Manly before halftime in week one of the finals and earned a week off last weekend. “For us it’s very much about focusing on the things we’ve been doing... we’re well aware of the challenge ahead and we’re playing against a very, very good team,”
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said Souths coach Michael Maguire. Roosters coach Trent Robinson said despite not having a week off, his side would be ready for the game on Friday. “They recovered well over the weekend. It was good to play that game on a Friday night and get a couple of days of recovery and start it off this morning on Souths,” he said on Monday.
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PANTHERS FLASHBACK
JUNIORS YVONNE PURTELL
@penrith_juniors
Thank you to everyone who has been involved in the junior league whether as a player, official, volunteer, family member or spectator during the 2014 season. The season has now drawn to a close as clubs prepare for their presentation days, AGMs and the 2015 season. What’s still happening… · September will see the remainder of our Representative and Development Trials · October will be a break in official activities within the district · November will see the start of our 2015 Representative and Development Programs in preparation for the Rep Season which kicks off in February Good luck to all the players who are involved in these trials. I would like to congratulate all of the nominees and winners of our major awards which were presented at our recent Annual Presentation Dinner. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank our partners, whom without we wouldn’t be able to sustain our competitions and programs. 2014 saw the introduction of our Girls competitions and we are looking forward to increasing the participation at this level and I’m preparing programs to assist the girls who will be transitioning from the girls to the ladies competitions. The girls who played in this competition were well-skilled and all games were played in great spirit. Anyone interested in playing in the 2015 season please contact your local club or the Junior League office for further details. On behalf of the Junior League I would like to congratulate the NSW Cup team on making the Grand Final.
FROM THE VAULT From the vault today comes one of the great video games of all-time. Yes, it’s ARL 96. Played on the PC, this is the only rugby league game ever made by EA Sports, and it was a beauty. Almost every rugby league fan with a computer got themselves a copy of this, with Brad Fittler on the cover. Has any NRL game really ever compared to this?
TROY DODDS
@troydodds
E
ven as late as the 2003 Preliminary Final, the wider rugby league world wasn’t convinced that Penrith had what it took to win the premiership. With the Sydney Roosters considered premiership favourites and on the opposite side of the draw, the Preliminary Final between the Panthers and Warriors was thought by many to be the game that would essentially decide who would be the runner-up in the 2003 competition. We all know how that worked out. The game against the Warriors was a beauty, played in front of more than 43,000 fans at Stadium Australia. The Panthers had advanced to the Preliminary Final having defeated Brisbane in week one of the Finals, giving them a much-needed week off. The path had been harder for the Warriors, who had easily accounted for the Bulldogs 48-22 in the first week of the Finals, but had to fight hard to beat Canberra 17-16 in the second week. Penrith were favourites for the game, but many believed the Warriors had a real chance – they had momentum, and having lost the Grand Final 12 months earlier, revenge was well and truly on their minds. The Panthers got out to an early lead in the game, but the Warriors fought back and the game was level at 10-all at the break. Penrith would show their class in the second half however, taking an extended lead early and powering home to win 28-20. As The Sydney Morning Herald reported the day after: “In the second half you would have expected the pain the Warriors suffered in last year’s Grand Final to spark more urgency, but it was the Panthers who lifted the tempo”. The scenes when the siren went at full-time were more befitting of a premiership win – there was a huge amount of relief, and joy, that the side had gone from minor premiers to grand finalists. As the Herald said, it was a win for NRL officials, too. “The Grand Final is east v west. If the east-west scenario was bad for the Warriors, it will be great for rugby league,” the paper said.
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We’re all done!
Panthers make it to the big one
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Ryan Girdler in action against the Warriors
The scenes when the siren went at full-time were more befitting of a premiership win
Quite often, the Finals themselves get forgotten when you win a premiership. The Grand Final becomes the standout moment of September/October football, and you can forget about the magical moments and victories that came just weeks earlier. 2003 is a prime example of this. We rightly remember Sattler’s tackle, Rooney’s double and the heroics of Luke Priddis, but we often forget the big comeback against the Broncos in week one of the Finals and the superior effort against the Warriors in week three. Both were great wins, but the 2003 Preliminary Final was particularly special.
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This School Holidays, The Australian li Hotel H t l and d Brewery B will ill have FREE Children’s Ch hildren’s activities acti ities every day from 12noon from Monday 22nd September to Monday 6th October 2014. Apart from our huge all-weather Kidz Zone featuring play equipment, arcade games, toddler soft play area, kids tv, free WI-FI and colouring packs to keep the kids amused. This School Holidays our free activities include pizza making, cupcake decorating & face painting plus say hi to Hop’s the Brewery’s Kangaroo mascot.
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