Extra Time March 29

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STORM ALERT PENRITH AND MELBOURNE HEAD TO BATHURST KATOA’S HERO > P37 Penrith hooker’s surreal experience facing Storm skipper Cameron Smith

CLINTON MAYNARD > P43 Do suburban grounds have a future in the rugby league landscape?

EXTRA MINUTES > P46 Gallen calls it quits, Cowboys’ injury woes and Roosters lock in future at Allianz

Friday, March 29, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

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PANTHERS 1

Dylan Edwards

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Josh Mansour Dean Whare Waqa Blake Dallin Watene-Zelezniak James Maloney Nathan Cleary James Tamou Sione Katoa Reagan Campbell-Gillard James Fisher-Harris Frank Winterstein Hame Sele Wayde Egan Tyrell Fuimaono Moses Leota Jack Hetherington Jarome Luai 19 Tim Grant

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, March 29, 2019

MATCH PREVIEW

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STORM

FOX LEAGUE

James Maloney was superb against Newcastle. Photo: NRL Photos

TROY

DODDS The Panthers and Storm hit the road this Saturday and bring the NRL to beautiful Bathurst with both sides feeling confident after last weekend’s results.

Melbourne were too good for Canberra in the nation’s capital, the benefit of a longer break and a more settled preparation clearly on show.

Penrith meanwhile collected their first win of the season with a tough 16- 14 victory over Newcastle.

The Panthers were far from perfect, but coach Ivan Cleary would have been over the moon with the side’s effort when compared to the performance they produced against the Eels the previous week. Penrith were much more composed, tough in defence and had a

much improved attitude and approach to the contest.

Things will need to step up another gear for Penrith if they’re to topple the undefeated Storm, who have looked nothing short of superb in their two opening games. They never really looked in danger against the Broncos in what was a dominant opening round performance, and the Raiders weren’t given much of a look-in either.

Even as Melbourne lose some of their mainstay champions of their incredibly successful era, the structure and discipline just rolls on. The lesson from Melbourne’s first two games is simple – you can’t let them take control of the contest early, or you’re most likely toast. Easier said than done, perhaps, especially given Penrith are perennial slow starters.

While last week’s win relieved some of the pressure on the Panthers, there’s still

ABC 702 2GB 873 plenty of improvement that needs to be made if they’re a chance of toppling Craig Bellamy’s men. Their completion rate of 69 per cent was well below where it needs to be, and discipline is still an issue with the side losing the penalty count 9-6.

That said, what can be praised is Penrith’s toughness in defence, particularly in that second half where they held a precarious 16- 8 lead for such a long time, and then had to withstand even more pressure when it was reduced to 16- 14 late in the contest.

Penrith’s kicking game was also good and is a little more unpredictable this year, to the point where they forced four line drop-outs last weekend – almost unheard of during Anthony Griffin’s time in charge.

To beat Melbourne, Penrith need to be dominant in the match from the start.

Nathan Cleary and James Maloney must dictate where the ball is, and must lead

1

Jahrome Hughes

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

Suliasi Vunivalu Will Chambers Curtis Scott Josh Addo-Carr Cameron Munster Brodie Croft Jesse Bromwich Cameron Smith (c) Nelson Asofa-Solomona Felise Kaufusi Kenneath Bromwich Dale Finucane Brandon Smith Christian Welch Tui Kamikamica Marion Seve

Penrith to a hefty share of possession, particularly in the first 20 minutes. If the Panthers can survive that early period of the game, which is typically when Melbourne strangle you to the point of no return, then I have no doubt they can slog out a victory.

The forwards must play their part too, and if James Tamou can continue his solid early-season form and Reagan CampbellGillard can repeat his effort of last weekend, there’s no doubt the Panthers will be right in this one.

The loss of Isaah Yeo is significant as he’s been one of Penrith’s real workers in recent seasons, but it gives Hame Sele and Frank Winterstein a chance to stand up and be counted.

A dry track should ensure this is a quality game – let’s hope the people of Bathurst can cheer Penrith on to victory.

Tip: Panthers by 1

35

Friday, March 29, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

PANTHER RUMBLINGS

with the Masked Panther

YEO RESTED  The NRL sought an explanation from

Panthers after the confusion surrounding Isaah Yeo’s HIA against the Knights last weekend. Yeo suffered a head knock in the game, just a week after leaving the field concussed against the Eels, and it was originally thought he’d been ruled out, but he simply missed the window to return as a free interchange due to treatment to the head wound continuing.

The Panthers are keeping a close eye on Yeo and are confident they’ve handled the situation within the rules, and with Yeo’s long-term health as a priority. The Panthers co-captain will be rested from Saturday’s game against the Storm.

 New Panthers recruit Frank Winter-

stein is settling into his new club exceptionally well, and has already impressed the club’s media and marketing department with how willing he is to give up his time when required. The 32-year-old, who made his Panthers debut against Newcastle last weekend, has also jumped head first into community work. For example, on Monday he went straight from being interviewed by journalists to Doonside where he is working with troubled youths.

Frank Winterstein

 Panthers boss Phil Gould backed a

winner last weekend after he threw his support behind Penrith MP Stuart Ayres in the lead-up to the State Election. “His enthusiasm for Penrith is contagious and when matched with his work ethic, it’s easy to see why he gets results in Penrith,” Gould said in his glowing reference.

Mr Ayres, who is also the NSW Sports Minister, retained the seat of Penrith at the election despite a strong swing towards Labor and One Nation.

 James Maloney’s superb defence last

weekend came as no surprise to Penrith’s coaching staff. They’ve been working with the veteran premiership winner on his defence all off-season after the 32-year-old became frustrated at some of his efforts last season. Clearly the work paid off as Maloney was nothing short of brilliant against the Knights. Let’s hope he can back it up against the Storm.

 There’s a rumour going around that

the Panthers have again been approached about playing at least one home game out of Bankwest Stadium in Parramatta in future seasons. The State Government is very keen to shore up content at the venue as its stadium strategy starts to come to life. The Panthers would be reluctant to take any games away from Panthers Stadium, with one home match already moved to Bathurst each year, but the club would obviously need to weigh up the economic benefits.

 Talking of stadiums, the Panthers have

apparently made an approach to the NRL about playing home finals at Panthers Stadium, especially in the opening weekend. While Penrith will most likely play home finals at Bankwest Stadium moving forward, I understand the NRL is at least

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

Viliame Kikau, who is expected to return from injury as early as next week against the Tigers, spent last weekend in his native Fiji filming a special documentary with NRL.COM. The emotional piece was released on Wednesday.



Former Panthers player and CEO Mark Levy and veteran Director Denis Merrick have been named Life Members of Panthers. The Life Memberships were confirmed at the club’s Annual General Meeting last week.

 The Panthers are getting to know

locals in Bathurst this weekend ahead of Saturday night’s game against the Storm.

Yesterday (Thursday), the squad attended the Peachey Richardson Gala Day in Kelso before they joined more than 200 children at the Play Like a Panther Super Clinic at Bathurst Showground. Last night the team held a meet and greet session.

 Suspended Panthers half Tyrone May

continues to keep a smile on his face despite the serious charges he’s facing in court and the uncertainty over his football career. May was spotted at Panthers training on Monday, enjoying a laugh with team mates who have done their best to keep his spirits high during a difficult time.

 Got some news to share? maskedpanther@westernweekender.com.au.

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, March 29, 2019

FEATURE

KATOA FACES HIS NRL HERO NATHAN

TAYLOR When Melbourne champion Cameron Smith made his NRL debut in 2002, Penrith hooker Sione Katoa was just seven-years-old. Tomorrow night the pair will go head to head when the Panthers face the unbeaten Storm in Bathurst.

While 24-year-old Katoa’s career is only just getting started, his opposite rival in Smith has virtually done it all in the game after 17 years in the top grade.

Katoa has idolised the former Queensland and Australian skipper for a very long time and believes he’s been the key to Melbourne’s dominance for nearly two decades.

“On Saturday night, we just need to control Cameron Smith – the mastermind,” he told Extra Time.

“For someone like me, I highly regard him as the best player going around. Even to this day, I look at what he does and how it can help my game.

“He’s the world’s best hooker and has been for a long time. I couldn’t imagine still playing at his age [35].”

While Penrith’s record against the Storm has been rotten, they did manage to jag a win against the 2017 Premiers in the final round of last season.

Melbourne were missing plenty of big names that night including Billy Slater and Cameron Munster, but it was still a monumental win for Penrith who had never tasted victory at AAMI Park.

“It was tough and daunting going down to Melbourne, it’s always a hard place to win,” Katoa said.

“They are a world- class club and you always have to be up for a big one against them.”

Katoa played his first game of the season last week after an unlucky injury ruled him out of the opening round.

“I got concussed at training after Nick Lui-Toso’s elbow caught my temple flush and I was out cold,” Katoa said.

“I’m actually glad I had the week off... health and safety is a priority for us.”

Sione Katoa is a big fan of Melbourne’s Cameron Smith. Photo: Melinda Jane

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Friday, March 29, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

FEATURE Frank Winterstein in action against Newcastle last week Photo: NRL Photos

THE NEW TANK WINTERSTEIN WASTES NO TIME MAKING HIS MARK NATHAN

TAYLOR

N

38

early 10 years after Frank Pritchard departed the Panthers for the Canterbury Bulldogs, Penrith have officially rolled out a new “Frank the Tank”.

Hulking new recruit Frank Winterstein enjoyed a memorable club debut last Saturday afternoon, scoring a try in Penrith’s narrow 16- 14 win over the Newcastle Knights.

The 32-year-old has only been a Panther for a matter of weeks after he was released by his former club, Manly, just days before the 2019 season got underway.

Speaking with Extra Time on Monday, Winterstein said his departure from the Northern Beaches club all happened so quickly.

“I got an inkling after Manly training on

Friday afternoon. I was sitting at home and my agent sent me Gus’ number and said give him a call,” he said.

“I phoned Gus and arranged to meet him for a quick coffee on Saturday morning.

On Sunday evening I got a call from Des Hasler (Manly coach) thanking me and wishing me all the best.

“On Monday, I arrived at Penrith and started training that day.”

It was certainly a whirlwind 72 hours for Winterstein but an experience he was grateful for. He only wishes he could have informed his Manly teammates that he was moving on in person instead of via text message.

“I was definitely blown away by how it went down… I would have loved to have said goodbye to the Manly boys, just tell them face to face the news but due to the circumstances I couldn’t do that,” Winterstein said.

“I’ve known Gus and Ivan Cleary for

a while, I was a Roosters junior playing Harold Matts and SG Ball when they were there.

“The Penrith club have been absolutely amazing, they’ve made my transition seamless.”

Following Isaah Yeo’s nasty head knock in the opening minutes of last weekend’s match, Winterstein was injected into the game against the Knights earlier than expected.

The former Super League star was making such an impact on the game that coach Cleary allowed him to play a whopping 66 minutes.

Winterstein said he was proud of his Panthers debut.

“It was a massive achievement for myself,” he said.

“When you get to debut for a new club in the NRL, you take that with a massive smile on your face and I was very proud to play on the weekend.

“It was unfortunate for Yeo getting that little head knock two minutes in, as a bench player you don’t see yourself jumping on after a few minutes, but that’s footy.”

Following a strong performance on the field, the former Australian Rugby Sevens star has been named to start for Penrith against Melbourne in Bathurst tomorrow night with the club opting to rest Yeo. Following numerous fiery encounters with the Storm as a member of Manly, Winterstein said Penrith will need to be at their very best.

“To even be within a chance of beating Melbourne, you’ve got to be on,” he said.

“They are just such a well-oiled machine down there and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Winterstein’s deal with Penrith is only for one season but if he keeps up his early form, he may be in line for an extension before season’s end.

Rugby league deserves expansion

WARREN SMITH T

he issue of what shape the NRL landscape takes in the years ahead has bubbled back to the surface over the past few weeks, as it seems to do bi-annually or thereabouts.

The topic has filled newspaper pages and had talkback radio listeners reaching for the phone to add their thoughts, and with NRL CEO Todd Greenberg due to present a report to his bosses sometime in the next 12 months, it’s a discussion that will provide a fairly constant thread of opinion throughout the season.

Of all the recent chatter devoted to the possibility of expansion or relocation of teams, the comment that resonates the most didn’t refer to the prospect of there being 16 or 18 or 20 teams, or whether the Manly Sea Eagles should become the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles.

It related to 60 seconds of play in the game between the Tigers and the Warriors at Campbelltown, and unsurprisingly, came from the lips of Panthers great, and Fox League’s lead analyst, Greg Alexander.

The Tigers went within an inch of scoring at one end of the field after some slick play, only for the Warriors to take posses-

sion from a changeover, turn on their own brand of entertainment, and score at the other end of the field six tackles later.

Brandy summed it up perfectly – “How good is rugby league!” – five short words, but it was all that was needed after a magical minute of action.

It was a breathtaking minute of footy at its finest: speed, skill, strength, and with more than a dash of desperation thrown in as well.

“How good is rugby league!”

We say that a lot, don’t we, but whenever the talk turns to expanding the game beyond its current horizons, we tend to find lots of reasons why the NRL isn’t ready to move into new territories. That there’s not enough talent to go around and who will want to watch the Perth Pirates play the Gold Coast Titans, anyway?

The same thing used to be said, often and fairly loudly, about having a team in Melbourne.

The same knockers who couldn’t see past their own self- interest were wrong on that front and they’ll be wrong again when the NRL takes the bold decision to once again establish a team in Perth and

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, March 29, 2019

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Tough decisions to make: NRL CEO Todd Greenberg. Photo: Melinda Jane very likely a second team in Brisbane. And you can slice and dice it any which way you like, but as we see every weekend throughout the season, this is a hell of a sporting product that we’re all a part of.

It’s time to believe in it; to believe that the game is so good why wouldn’t it attract new fans to come and watch it.

The old halfback said it best, “How good is rugby league”.

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Friday, March 29, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

Suburban grounds face uncertain future

CLINTON MAYNARD N

Suburban grounds are the heart and soul of rugby league, particularly in Sydney games at Brookvale Oval and Campbelltown Stadium. For roughly the same entry price as a seat at the soon to be opened Parramatta Stadium, fans pay for the privilege of sitting on the grass in the rain.

In this day and age again how long is that

sustainable? Both grounds are in urgent need of an upgrade, but there’s no money.

Penrith is lucky, the club is financially strong, but for how long will they be happy to invest in Panthers Stadium when the new Parramatta Stadium can offer much

better corporate facilities? I love suburban football grounds, the game has been built on them, but sadly it’s only a matter of time before they are no more.

You can hear Clinton Maynard on Macquarie Sports Radio 954.

WW36982

ow Gladys Berejiklian has won the State Election we have certainty surrounding the Government’s stadium policy. The Sydney Football Stadium will be knocked down and ANZ substantially upgrade. The Government has also made it clear by investing in those two big stadiums there will be no money in the future for small suburban grounds, for so long the heartbeat of Sydney rugby league.

What does this mean for clubs that play out of small suburban grounds, clubs like Manly, Cronulla and Penrith? I fear in the coming years they’ll be forced to play out of the big stadiums.

Last weekend I took my kids to Shark Park. It was a hot and sunny Saturday afternoon, no excuse not to go to the football.

A crowd of more than 15,000 turned up, a good crowd, but Cronulla lost money.

The club’s chairman has revealed they need more than 16,000 fans to attend just to break even. For a club already facing financial difficulties how long can that be sustainable?

Fewer than 10,000 fans turned up to

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, March 29, 2019

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10 Roosters

2

1

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1

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42

44

-2

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11 Panthers

2

1

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1

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28

34

-6

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12 Cowboys

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-7

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13 Sea Eagles

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15 Titans

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16 Bulldogs

2

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2

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22

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-54

0

Round 3

/ / / / / / / /

FACE IN THE CROWD

Thursday, March 28 8.05pm Suncorp Stadium

Friday, March 29 6.00pm GIO Stadium

Friday, March 29 8.05pm ANZ Stadium Saturday, March 30 3.00pm Christchurch Stadium Saturday, March 30 5.30pm 1300 Smiles Stadium Saturday, March 30 7.30pm Carrington Park Sunday, March 31 4.05pm Campbelltown Stadium Sunday, March 31 6.10pm ANZ Stadium

IS THIS YOU? Is this you at a recent Penrith Panthers game?

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LOCAL SAFE RELIABLE PROFESSIONAL

It is the intriguing sub-plot to the 1991 Grand Final that the hands of time have confined to the history books – but it remains a major unsolved mystery.

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, March 29, 2019

Panther Flashback

SCOREBOARD NRL

A day after Penrith’s 19-12 win over Canberra in the season decider, the party was still going at Panthers Leagues Club when an incredible, almost impossible to believe story took place.

Three armed bandits staged a daring $360,000 raid at the Leagues Club and in dramatic scenes, shots were fired and witnesses, including a pregnant woman and her child, had to scramble for cover.

The incident happened just before 11am on Monday, September 23, 1991.

As the Telegraph reported: “Panthers spokesperson Carl Leddy said Armaguard had officially taken possession of the cash having collected it from the club’s management and exchanging it for a covering cheque. Minutes later three armed and masked thieves swooped on the two guards and escaped with the cash in what police said was an extremely well planned and executed raid”.

The three male bandits used four vehicles during the robbery. They had posed as caterers to gain access to the perfect location to pull off the robbery.

Despite getting away with the $360,000, it could have been a much bigger hit, as the bandits left behind around $700,000 – takings from the Grand Final victory party.

Witness Carol Barber described the drama to the Telegraph at the time.

“As soon as I heard the bang I grabbed my daughter and ducked,” she said.

“All I could think of was her and I hid the both of us behind a nearby car.”

Quite incredibly, despite a huge police operation in the immediate aftermath of the robbery and around 40 witnesses watching the heist unfold, the 1991 raid on Panthers Leagues Club remains unsolved. After all these years, it would seem that those involved have gotten away with one of the most high profile, daring robberies you could imagine.

PANTHERS 16 KNIGHTS 14

NSW CUP

PANTHERS 20 KNIGHTS 4

JERSEY FLEGG PANTHERS 24 KNIGHTS 18

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Bringing DESIGNS to Life Penrith City Council - Community Newsletter

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The official newsletter of Penrith City Council December 2016 edition

26 January

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Friday, March 29, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

EXTRA MINUTES  Sharks skipper Paul Gallen has con-

firmed he’ll retire at the end of the 2019 NRL season. At 37, Gallen is currently the oldest player in the NRL and will have played 19 seasons of first grade when he finishes up at the end of the year.

 Horrible news for the North Queens-

land Cowboys with rampaging forward Jason Taumalolo ruled out for the next six to 10 weeks after suffering a medial ligament injury against the Broncos last weekend.

 The Sydney Cricket and Sports

Grounds and Sydney Roosters have signed a landmark partnership that will see the reigning NRL premiers play home games and Finals at Allianz Stadium for at least the next 25 years when it opens in 2022. It is the longest hiring agreement between a stadium and club in rugby league history. “Our whole club is excited about what the new stadium will deliver for our members, supporters and players and for rugby league across the board,” said Roosters Chairman Nick Politis.

 The NRL returns to Christchurch this

weekend with Manly hosting the Warriors and plans are underway to acknowledge the victims of the recent terrorist attack in

Cronulla legend Paul Gallen will retire at the end of the season. Photo: Megan Dunn the city. Both teams are working together and were due to make an announcement yesterday or today regarding the details of a tribute to the victims and the wider Christchurch community. Well done to both teams.



It’s been revealed that former Newcastle and NSW State of Origin star Jarrod Mullen is at the centre of an illicit drug supply investigation. The 31-year-old also spent two days in intensive care late last year and nearly died after overdosing on drugs at a party.

 The Daily Telegraph has apologised to

Bulldogs halfback Lachlan Lewis after the publication reported the young star attended that infamous function at the HarbourView Hotel late last year and was seen being helped into an Uber by teammates. Lewis was never at the event.

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