Extra Time July 3 2020

Viliame Kikau. Photo: NRL Images.

MASKED PANTHER What sparked ‘strata wars’ at Kogarah last weekend?

PAGE 30

PRAISE FOR CLEARY Brian To’o says coach deserves credit for Penrith’s red hot form

PAGE 32

WARREN SMITH Exclusive column from Fox League commentator

PAGE 37

CELEBRITY TIPSTERS Not sure who to back this weekend? These Penrith celebs have the selections covered!

PAGES 38-39

BIG CATS GO TO WAR PANTHERS AND TIGERS FACE OFF IN BANKWEST BLOCKBUSTER MATCH PREVIEW: PAGE 29

before

1 Storey

28 2 Storey

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Friday, July 3, 2020 « the western weekender • extra time

the final word

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, July 3, 2020

match preview

Viliame Kikau in action against Souths last week. Photo: NRL Images.

TROY DODDS

O

nly a Clint Gutherson field goal stood between Penrith and the top of the NRL ladder last weekend, after the Panthers edged closer to the summit thanks to a 20- 12 win over Souths at Kogarah.

After impressive wins over the highly fancied Storm and Bunnies in recent weeks, the second placed Panthers face slightly – and I stress the word slightly – easier opposition over the next month.

The schedule reads like this: Tigers, Sharks, Cowboys, Titans.

A dream run, you could say, except all four of those sides recorded wins last weekend and head into this middle part of the season with a touch of renewed confidence.

On statistics alone, Penrith should have

FOX LEAGUE KAYO ABC 702 2GB 873

SATURDAY, JULY 4 | 7.35PM | BANKWEST STADIUM | REFEREE: ADAM GEE the Tigers’ measure at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday night. They have a better average completion rate, concede less points and boast more talent across the park. More importantly, they’re in red hot form and pulling in the same direction at the moment – a key ingredient to winning and winning often.

But games aren’t won on paper and the Tigers certainly pose a danger.

Ever since coach Michael Maguire made wholesale changes after a shock loss to the Titans a month ago, the Tigers have started to find the right gears needed to make the Finals. They went down to Canberra in a scrappy affair but then blew the Cowboys off the park in the first half and put in a complete performance against Canterbury on Sunday.

The two most recent wins have put the Tigers in the top eight and proved they may have something to offer this year, even though they’re a fair way off the pace compared to the more fancied teams in Finals contention.

The Tigers can score points, and score them quickly, and while Penrith’s defence has been strong for most of the year, they’ll certainly be tested in this one.

While it’s hard to find fault in Penrith’s form right now, there’s still a feeling there’s something missing from their game each week. Perhaps it’s just a little bit of polish – that ability to finish off teams like the Storm and Roosters do so well.

Regardless, all you can do is win and Ivan Cleary is working from in front at the moment. Each week he gets to improve a

PANTHERS

winning team, and as each game passes you see a further glimpse of the serious footy side that is developing under his watch.

I’ve been really impressed with Dylan Edwards in his first two games back from a long layoff, and I’m expecting him to only get better over this next month of football. You can throw Liam Martin into that mix as well – this kid is so impressive, and he’s taking the opportunity handed to him as a result of Kurt Capewell’s injury with open arms.

Last week’s game wasn’t quite as relaxing as I predicted, and I’m tipping this one won’t be either. The Tigers have proven they have too many points in them to make this an easy task.

Tip: Panthers by 4.

TIGERS

1 Dylan Edwards

10 James Fisher-Harris

1 Adam Doueihi

2 Josh Mansour

11 Viliame Kikau

2 David Nofoaluma

10 Oliver Clark 11 Luke Garner

3 Dean Whare

12 Liam Martin

3 Joseph Leilua

12 Luciano Leilua

4 Stephen Crichton

13 Isaah Yeo

4 Moses Mbye (c)

13 Matthew Eisenhuth

5 Brian To’o

14 Matt Burton

5 Tommy Talau

14 Elijah Taylor

6 Jarome Luai

15 Zane Tetevano

6 Josh Reynolds

15 Thomas Mikaele

7 Nathan Cleary

16 Moses Leota

7 Luke Brooks

16 Sam McIntyre

8 James Tamou (c)

17 Billy Burns

8 Josh Aloiai

17 Michael Chee-Kam

9 Apisai Koroisau

18 Mitch Kenny 19 Brent Naden

9 Harry Grant

18 Benji Marshall 19 Chris Lawrence

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Friday, July 3, 2020 « the western weekender • extra time

panther rumblings

WITH THE MASKED PANTHER

STRATA WARS ERUPT !

Last Thursday’s match between Penrith and South Sydney at Kogarah sparked an unlikely war between two strata companies. Officially, Kogarah Oval is known as Netstrata Jubilee Stadium thanks to a partnership with Netstrata, a strata management company serving Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle. But the Panthers are sponsored by Sarraf Strata, another experienced strata firm with offices across the country. At one stage, Panthers were told Sarraf Strata branding could not be put in place at Kogarah – but that was met with a defiant defence of their sponsor from the club (Sarraf has been terrific to Penrith during this difficult time). Then Panthers cheekily renamed the venue Sarraf Strata Stadium in marketing materials – sparking drama with Georges River Council. Who knew a simple NRL game could cause so much behind the scenes drama.

!

Talking of Georges River Council, they refused to allow Panthers to use the open air boxes at Kogarah last Thursday night in a clear over-policing of Coronavirus restrictions. It meant the club was restricted in terms of corporate partners attending the game. They also refused to provide media parking at the venue, despite this being a given at all NRL games.

!

Panthers will shortly announce its plans for full season ticketed members to attend the Round 10 home game against the Cowboys. I’m told members who wish to attend will have the opportunity to redeem a ticket using a personalised code, either on the Ticketek website or inperson at Panthers Penrith Leagues Club.

Given the reduced stadium capacities, it’s not expected tickets for upcoming away games against Wests Tigers and Cronulla Sharks will be made available to Panthers supporters.

!

Panthers captain James Tamou has given Nathan Cleary the ultimate wrap, comparing him to the legendary Johnathan Thurston. “I think the way I’ve seen Nathan come through, not just on the footy field, but as a leader and the way he controls the game he could do some big

Jack Hetherington will play for the Warriors this weekend. things,” Tamou said. “His competitiveness, JT was one of the best competitors in the world, but Nathan – still only young in his career – is up there. He’ll fight tooth and nail to the death. That’s what you want in a player.”

!

Panthers forward Jack Hetherington is off to the Warriors on a short-term loan.

Hetherington was Penrith’s Rookie of the Year in 2018 and has played 16 NRL games, but is struggling to find his way into Ivan Cleary’s side this season. While Hetherington was reluctant to agree to the loan, Panthers captain James Tamou says it’ll be good for the 24-year-old. “I think it will be massive for him, just to get that game time. Jack Hetherington is such a talent, he’s one of the fastest in the club and one of the most powerful people

in the club. He’ll thrive. I had a chat with him yesterday and he was a bit reluctant, he didn’t want to let the boys down,” Tamou said.

!

Panthers coach (and former player) Lee Hopkins has been running after hours training sessions next to Panthers Stadium for some of the club’s most promising young talent. While these players no longer have competitions to compete in this season and can’t set foot inside the Academy under current ‘bubble rules’, the club is determined to keep them in shape and improving their skills as they look ahead to 2021.

!

Someone got a bit trigger happy at Kogarah last Thursday night – ‘Go The Mighty Panthers’ started playing with

11 minutes still to go and with the game somewhat in the balance. We like the optimism.

!

Spotted: Panthers ground announcer Zac Bailey bumping into girlfriend Emma Lawrence just after full-time of the Penrith v Souths game last Thursday night.

Lawrence was covering the game for Triple M.

!

I’m hearing the Panthers are working overtime on extending the deal of forward Liam Martin. A few things need to fall into place but the club is very keen to ensure the young forward is in Panthers colours for a long time to come.

!

It’s being rumoured James Maloney could return to the NRL next year.

OFFICIAL PARTNER

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CRICHTON IS CENTRE OF ATTENTION NATHAN TAYLOR

A

fter an outstanding start to the year, exciting Panthers centre Stephen Crichton is the name on everyone’s lips at the moment.

12 months ago not many people would’ve heard of the talented St Clair Comet however, in less than a year, Crichton has turned himself into a household name after becoming one of Penrith’s true x-factor players.

In his seven appearances so far this year, the 19-year-old has scored four tries including in recent games against the Rabbitohs and Storm.

Speaking with Extra Time on Tuesday, Crichton credited a strong pre- season with the NRL squad for giving him the confidence to start the 2020 season with a bang.

“Last year I debuted in the NRL, but I didn’t have a pre-season [with first grade].

I’m heaps better this year, just because of that pre-season,” he said.

“It’s given me heaps of confidence because I know the boys I’m playing alongside a lot better.”

Before settling into his current role in

Exciting Panthers centre Stephen Crichton. Photo: NRL Images. the centres, Crichton began the season as a super-sub on Ivan Cleary’s bench. He scored a try in each of his two games off the interchange, prompting Cleary to find a more permanent position for him after the Coronavirus shutdown.

Crichton said he enjoys his role in the centres, but also liked the idea of playing

fullback if the possibility arises down the track.

“I’ve always played centre but it’s good to play a variety of positions as well,” he said.

“If someone else is playing centre or someone gets injured I can slot into fullback, so it’s good learning both positions.”

Right now, the silky Samoan is making the number four jersey his own and crediting his fellow centre Dean Whare for helping him improve his game.

Last season – in his NRL debut – Crichton replaced Whare in the centres after the Kiwi veteran was dropped on form.

“After all my wrong reads in defence, Deano’s always the first one to tip me up about it in terms of my positioning on the field, getting up early etc,” Crichton said.

“Once I joined the pre- season he was into me straight away about the centre position and where I should be at the right time and where I shouldn’t be at the wrong time. He’s helped me out a lot, especially in that centre role, and I really look up to him.”

Crichton is contracted to the Panthers until the end of the 2021 season, but he’s expected to be in hot demand around the NRL if Penrith don’t lock him away.

Crichton said he isn’t in negotiations yet, but his preference would be to remain a Panther long-term.

“I’m just enjoying playing where I am right now at Panthers and things like that will take care of itself,” he said.

“I don’t want to get too ahead of myself, I just want to play good footy and things like that will come along.”

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, July 3, 2020

feature

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Friday, July 3, 2020 « the western weekender • extra time

feature

PANTHERS BUILD WINNING CULTURE NATHAN TAYLOR

P

enrith are building a culture at the foot of the Mountains not seen for many, many years.

The Panthers are currently in the midst of their best start to a season in more than two decades, undefeated in six of their first seven games.

They currently hold one of the best defensive records in the competition and have played several halves this season not conceding a single point.

After a disappointing season in 2019, why such the dramatic turnaround? A turnaround not even the most dedicated Panthers supporter ever saw coming.

A number of plausible things could be attributed to their strong start, but winger Brian To’o believes coach Ivan Cleary should reap much of the praise.

“Ivan sets the tone for us and we just listen. We go off him, he’s our leader. We listen and do as we’re told,” he said.

There would be several coaches in the NRL right now wishing they had players that listened and abided by every word they said – perhaps their teams would be going a little better this year if they did.

Brian To’o in action for Penrith earlier this season. Photo: NRL Images.

While coach Cleary is proving to be a great motivator for the Panthers off the field, it’s their leaders on the field who deserve attention as well.

In an interview this week, To’o singled

out three men in his side that he considered to be “good leaders” in captain James Tamou, hooker Apisai Koroisau and halfback Nathan Cleary.

To’o labelled Cleary a “solider” for his

heroics against South Sydney, saying the 22- year- old’s toughness is what the Panthers are all about.

“Coming from the hospital to the game and doing what he did was really good for the team. It just shows how tough we can be as Panthers,” he said.

While Penrith fans and players are certainly enjoying the first two months of the season, competitions aren’t won seven rounds in but they can certainly be lost.

To’o said the club needs to continue on the path it’s currently on and – as cliché as it sounds – take each game at a time.

“The boys are getting closer and closer each game. We’re building our foundation upon culture, trust and believing in one another,” he said.

“Week in, week out we prepare together and play together. It’s coming into work every day and putting in the work – not just individually but everyone is coming together as a team.”

And if Penrith do manage to keep the good times rolling, the key to long- term success (and maybe a Premiership) is not to get ahead of themselves.

“We like to keep it humble at Penrith. We like to keep it to ourselves, put our heads down and just do our jobs,” To’o said.

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Panthers, we are where we deserve to be for now but let’s not live just on our laurels. We have to keep this up.

We are right behind you as a team and look forward to another 80 minutes of spectacular football.

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Friday, July 3, 2020  the western weekender • extra time

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Friday, July 3, 2020 « the western weekender • extra time

nrl ladder & fixtures CLUB

PD

W

D

L

B

F

A

+/-

PTS

1

Eels

7

6

0

1

0

158

88

+70

12

2

Panthers

7

5

1

1

0

143

98

+45

11

3

Roosters

7

5

0

2

0

201

69

+132 10

4

Storm

7

5

0

2

0

148

83

+65

10

5

Knights

7

4

1

2

0

169

120

+49

9

6

W. Tigers

7

4

0

3

0

175

140

+35

8

7

Raiders

7

4

0

3

0

128

97

+31

8

8

Sea Eagles

7

4

0

3

0

117

115

+2

8

9

Rabbitohs

7

3

0

4

0

144

134

+10

6

10 Cowboys

7

3

0

4

0

175

169

+6

6

11

7

3

0

4

0

146

148

-2

6

12 Dragons

7

2

0

5

0

106

146

-40

4

13 Titans

7

2

0

5

0

96

193

-97

4

Sharks

14 Warriors

7

2

0

5

0

79

182

-103

4

15 Broncos

7

2

0

5

0

92

209

-117

4

16 Bulldogs

7

1

0

6

0

76

162

-86

2

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4732 6007

ROUND 8 V

Thursday, July 2 7.50pm Suncorp Stadium

V

Friday, July 3 6.00pm GIO Stadium

V

Friday, July 3 7.55pm Bankwest Stadium

V

Saturday, July 4 3.00pm Cbus Super Stadium

V

Saturday, July 4 5.30pm Central Coast Stadium

V

Saturday, July 4 7.35pm Bankwest Stadium

V

Sunday, July 5 4.05pm Lottoland

Face In Th e Crowd

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Extra Time Issue Number 2020-013

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Sunday, July 5 6.30pm Bankwest Stadium

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warren smith I

t’s probably a safe bet that Penrith coach Ivan Cleary doesn’t make a regular stop at the local newsagency part of his routine on the way into Panthers HQ each day.

The coach has always given you the impression that he’s fairly comfortable in his own skin, and isn’t sweating it out waiting to see what the papers are saying about him or his team.

But if curiosity did get the better of him there’s no doubt he’d be sporting just a little smile as he thumbed his way through the sports pages, which are full of the Broncos’ woes, the Roosters’ march towards a three-peat and how the Panthers’ nearest neighbours, the Eels, are reminding everybody of a time when the Blue and Gold Army really was an army.

The world of NRL analysis and punditry is full of stories about coaches under pressure at any number of clubs, player agents holding clubs to ransom, and even the prospect of a hybrid game between the All Blacks and the Kangaroos.

You can read about everything except the team coming second – the Panthers.

Which is just the way the coach would like it.

They’ve lost only one game from their first seven, they’ve already beaten the defending premiers and they were too

Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary. Photo: NRL Images. good for perennial contenders Melbourne and they can’t crack it for a story anywhere.

That master of having his teams’ ‘flying under the radar’, the one- time Panther himself, Des Hasler, couldn’t have pulled this off any better than Ivan Cleary has managed to this point.

And in a shortened season, 11 premiership points out of a possible 14 is a tremendous platform to launch Penrith’s best chance at contending for a title since the drought-breaking season of 2003.

But you know what? The news gets even better when you look at what’s in front of the Panthers between here and the Finals,

and especially so when you consider the form they’ve shown so far in 2020.

In their final 13 games of the minor premiership, they have only one game against any of the other four teams that currently sit in the top five with them.

No Roosters, no Storm, no Knights.

They get the chance for revenge against the Eels in Round 18, having tossed away the lead and the chance to remain undefeated in the second half against Parramatta in Round 5.

The draw has worked out beautifully for the Panthers, but only because they’ve been able to show that they are more than capable of handling the teams who’ve established themselves as the benchmarks.

They’ve elevated themselves from a team with potential to now being a team that has legitimate premiership contender stamped across their name in bold red letters.

The coach would say one game at a time and we’re not getting ahead of ourselves and rightly so – it’s that sort of competition.

The reality, though, is that the Panthers have given themselves the opportunity to finish in the top four, if not the top two, with what they’ve done to this point, and by the time the Finals roll around, the days of flying under the radar will be long gone.

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, July 3, 2020

Ivan Cleary has Panthers perfectly placed for premiership assault

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with Peter Lang

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ne and done!

I’d just like to clarify that ‘one and done’ refers to a player who only played one first grade game for the Panthers over the last 20 years. It’s not to mock them but rather acknowledge them and hey, it’s one more top grade game than I ever played.

Let’s start with Luke Dyer in 2004, followed by Liam Georgetown and John Nuumaalii in 2007. Former Rabbitohs half Joe Williams came to Penrith to play a key role in the halves but ended up only playing in the opening game of 2008 before he was dropped never to be seen again. Promising youngster Willie Isa also managed only one game in 2008 while former Bulldogs winger Andrew Emelio and Ben McFadgean played one game each in 2009.

Only a few weeks ago Tom Eisenhuth played first grade for the Storm but his top grade debut was actually for Penrith in 2012. The list then rounds out with hooker Kierran Moseley (2014), Chris Smith (2015) Michael Oldfield (2017) and finally Jed Cartwright in 2019.

To be fair, Jed is still contracted to the Panthers so he still has time to add to that single game tally.

What caught my eye last week...

I enjoyed Rabbitohs coach Wayne

Sometimes you can say a lot by saying very little.

What game I’m looking forward to...

How can you go past the Storm v Roosters game on Thursday night. While it’s true that Melbourne aren’t the team of old, they’re still good enough to beat the high... errr... flying Roosters. The Roosters looked like they were getting the ‘hippy hippy shakes’ last week against the Dragons and I’m tipping that their five game winning streak will come to an end this round.

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, July 3, 2020

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The one hit wonders who’ve worn Panthers colours

My tips for the week...

Storm, Raiders, Eels, Sharks, Broncos, Panthers, Knights, Rabbitohs.

Souths coach Wayne Bennett was at his brilliant best last week. Photo: NRL Images.

Bennett’s 80- second press conference after his side’s loss to the Panthers last Thursday night. He didn’t dodge a ques-

tion and he was very concise. Yes I know I bagged him last week but this week, I thought he was brilliant.

The final word...

Now while I don’t condone it, I loved the passion Raiders forward Corey Horsburgh displayed as he flipped the bird at angry Parramatta fans who were sticking it to him while he left the field injured on Saturday night.

‘But it’s not a good look for the game’ I hear you say. Look that may be true but unfortunately these things happen in the heat of the moment and Horsburgh is not a bloody robot!

As I said I don’t condone his actions but I understand them.

Clinton Maynard WHO REALLY HAS THE POWER?

T

Broncos coach Anthony Seibold. player managers fearful of losing superstar talent. The Broncos have plenty of young stars they didn’t want to lose. Put two and two together and a rookie coach has a five year deal.

Questions have been raised as to why Stephen Kearney was suddenly sacked as Warriors coach when he seemed to be the one holding the playing squad together, forced to live away from their families.

It’s a curious decision, however League journalist ‘The Mole’ might have put his finger on the answer. He suggested the Warriors were keen to part ways with Kearney early last year but then suddenly did a backflip and signed him to a new deal. He happened to be managed by Issac Moses. It’s hard to attract players to join the New Zealanders, so was management concerned if they didn’t keep Kearney they wouldn’t have access to talent they need?

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hey are the real powers of the game that the everyday fan doesn’t quite realise and thankfully the NRL is trying to break their stranglehold of influence. It’s player managers.

The Brisbane Broncos are in a world of pain at the moment and there are many reasons behind their struggles, but it seems pretty clear the coach, Anthony Seibold, isn’t working out too well.

NRL clubs love to sack a coach but this case isn’t that straight forward. Seibold is only 18 months into a five year deal, so sacking him comes with a massive payout.

So why is Seibold on a five year contract?

He was a coach with one year’s experience when he got the job, he’d been with Souths for a sole season and while they performed well that year, he didn’t win the comp with what was a very strong squad. So why did he get a five year deal?

It comes down to the power of player managers. He was managed by one of the most powerful, Issac Moses, who has now been de- registered for issues unrelated to the Broncos. But this is where the power comes from, Moses at one point was managing 14 Broncos players. Any manager that is responsible for a block of players at one club has enormous power over the management of that club. That’s not to suggest Moses did anything wrong at all, but often clubs will bow down to

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Friday, July 3, 2020 ÂŤ the western weekender

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