Extra Time 8 October 2021 - Special Edition - Panthers 2021 Premiers

Isaah Yeo and Nathan Cleary. Photo: NRL Photos.

it’s coming home

PANTHER POWER! SPECIAL 24-PAGE GRAND FINAL COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

Friday, October 8, 2021 « the western weekender • extra time

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GRAND FINAL REVIEW

PANTHERS FOUND ANOTHER LEVEL TROY DODDS

A

Stephen Crichton intercept 14 minutes from full-time will forever be remembered as the moment that decided the 2021 Grand Final and secured Penrith’s third Premiership.

The Panthers won 14-12 but not before a late scare with South Sydney halfback Adam Reynolds missing a sideline conversion four minutes from full-time that would have levelled the scores.

It was a Grand Final for the ages – one decided on defence in a year where blowout scorelines and attack dominated the NRL season.

Penrith’s kicking game was superb – both Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai producing gamebreaking moments with their boots that helped determine the outcome.

Cleary was named the Clive Churchill Medallist for best player on ground. In an emotional moment, it was presented by his father and coach Ivan.

With his busted shoulder in tow, Cleary bounced back from missing a crucial tackle that resulted in Souths’ first try to win an ongoing battle with Cody Walker and produce some brilliant defensive moments when it mattered most.

It was a Grand Final that will be remembered more for being the finale of an incredible three weeks for the winning team. Penrith scored just five tries in their last three matches of the season but still managed to claim the title. It was a heroic defensive period built on trust and confidence, with coach Ivan Cleary admitting post-match that the side hadn’t been able to train all that much given how battered and bruised they were.

“I just can’t wrap the boys enough,” Cleary said.

The Panthers celebrated after the siren sounded at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night. Photo: NRL Photos.

Stephen Crichton races away to score a try after taking an intercept in the second half. Photo: NRL Photos.

“The courage these boys have shown. We really couldn’t train the last three weeks as a team. Luckily the games were so hard each week, that was enough training.

“I think it’s purely on courage that these boys have won this.”

After a bruising opening period, Penrith were first to score in the Grand Final when Matt Burton found space in the 16th minute.

The Rabbitohs hit back to level the scores soon after when Cody Walker produced some of his trademark solo brilliance in the 20th minute.

The Panthers took an 8-6 lead into the break after Cleary kicked a penalty goal in the 32nd minute.

Souths came out strong in the second half and were unlucky not to find the try line, but did manage to level the scores through a penalty goal just four minutes into the period, setting up a belter of a second half.

The Rabbitohs appeared on top and looked like they were about to create something down their left side when the game took a dramatic twist in the 66th minute – Crichton intercepting a wayward Walker pass to race into Grand Final immortality.

While Crichton touched down, Cleary and Walker clashed in backplay – the Panthers number seven confident that he’d got the better of his opponent and that Walker’s

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, October 8, 2021

TO CLAIM CLUB’S THIRD NRL TITLE confidence would be shattered heading into the final minutes.

But the game wasn’t over.

The Rabbitohs earned themselves late field position and Alex Johnston scored with just six minutes to go, giving a departing Adam Reynolds the chance to level the scores with a sideline conversion. It would have been a fairytale moment, but the ball stayed right and Penrith maintained a two point lead.

Reynolds attempted a two point field goal right on the bell but it fell short, leaving the Panthers to play out the final seconds with the footy.

There were incredible scenes of emotion at

full-time as the Panthers celebrated a hard fought victory over a newfound arch rival.

“Since the Origin period we’ve been backs against the wall,” co-captain Isaah Yeo said post-game.

“We just felt so confident. We felt like we were so ready to do it.”

It is the club’s third Premiership after they won the title in 1991 and 2003, and wipes away much of the pain of 2020, where the side lost to Melbourne in the decider.

While the Panthers celebrated in front of 39,322 fans at Suncorp Stadium, back home in Penrith the streets erupted – hundreds of cars lining Mulgoa Road with horns blaring to mark the Premiership success.

Dylan Edwards played through pain in the Grand Final. Photo: NRL Photos.

A devastated Souths coach Wayne Bennett following the game. Photo: NRL Photos.

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Friday, October 8, 2021 « the western weekender • extra time

panther rumblings

WITH THE MASKED PANTHER

PANTHERS PARTY ALL WEEK AFTER ! Penrith players partied well into the early hours of the morning following their Grand Final win over South Sydney, even taking the Provan-Summons trophy for a visit to the beach. The celebrations went from the field to the dressing sheds, where plenty of champagne was spilled and beers consumed. There was some quiet reflection on the centre of Suncorp Stadium afterwards before the party took hold – first an official function and then after parties, and more after parties (many of which have continued well into the week). I’m told Viliame Kikau and James Fisher-Harris were best on ground.

Photo: NRL Photos.

! The focus for fans has very much turned on when there will be a celebration with the team here in Penrith. That’s likely to still be some weeks away and there’s a whole lot of issues to navigate. Many of the players are staying in Queensland for a few weeks. Then there’s the vaccination issue – not all players have had the jab, throwing their ability to attend celebrations into question. Throw in player holidays and it’s not the easiest thing to navigate. There will be a celebration – but there’s a bit to work through first. ! If there was a sour point to the celebrations it was an unnecessary Instagram post from Tyrone May, who seems to have determined he was the victim in the whole sex tape saga of 2019. “And the dirt that they threw on my name/turned to soil and I grew up out it/time for y’all to figure out what y’all gon’ do about it,” May wrote on Sunday night – including a picture of himself and coach Ivan Cleary outside court during his trial. You dug your own dirt, Tyrone. It’s incredibly disturbing to see him play the victim. Even more disturbing is the huge support he got on the post from some of his teammates. ! It was almost laughable to hear Triple M and Fox Sports commentator James Hooper having a whinge about Ivan Cleary refusing to appear on Triple M in the lead-up to the Grand Final. “Penrith fans are entitled to hear from their coach but I think he’s done himself a disservice,” Hooper said. Fox League tweeted out the

comments, along with a post, “Ivan Cleary has kept quiet all week”. But Cleary had held two press conferences in the space of 24 hours prior, so the fans heard from him plenty. Hooper and other Triple M contributors have been far from supportive of Cleary for some time now. To think he’s going to happily pick up the phone and chat in the lead-up to the biggest game of his career shows an over-inflated sense of entitlement from some of those covering the game. Hiding behind the “fans deserve it” line doesn’t cut it, either.

! There’s some big changes ahead when it comes to Channel Nine’s coverage of rugby league. Peter Sterling has retired, while Ray Warren is nearing the end of his glittering career in the commentary box. You also have to wonder where Phil

Gould’s future lies. He spent several minutes complaining about a correct decision (the chargedown call) in the Grand Final.

Fox League’s commentators acknowledged it was the right call and moved on straight away. Gould is passionate about the game but his opinions and regular unhappiness that the rules are followed divides the fans and is so frustrating to sit through.

! Make no mistake – Sunday night’s win meant everything to the Cleary family.

Ivan put his reputation on the line when he quit the Wests Tigers to rejoin Penrith, and his family felt much of the pressure.

Even some Penrith ‘supporters’ online were scathing of the Clearys, particularly in 2019, failing to see the bigger picture while hiding behind their keyboards patting themselves on the back. Seeing the family

celebrate together on Sunday night was very special.

! Channel Nine would be over the moon with the Grand Final ratings. The

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, October 8, 2021

TAKING OUT GRAND FINAL historic match was the most watched NRL Grand Final in five years, achieving a cross platform audience across Channel 9 and 9Now of 3.596 million. 9Now secured the biggest ever Live BVOD audience in Australia with an unprecedented 363,000 tuning in to watch the Panthers claim rugby league glory.

! It was great to see the community’s cafes, pubs and restaurants getting behind the team last weekend with Panthersthemed food and drinks. I did have to chuckle at Emu Hall though – they named a couple of cocktails after players who famously don’t drink alcohol.

who is rebuilding his life after suffering a spinal injury while playing last year. Bids close this weekend and currently exceed $3,000. Head over to fanplus.com for more details and to bid.

! One of the feel-good stories of the Grand Final was Penrith winger Brian To’o proposing to his partner Moesha CrichtonRopati shortly after full-time (pictured right). 23-year-old To’o had initially planned to pop the question mid-year, but then decided Grand Final night would be the perfect occasion. To’o was mobbed by his teammates after he received a ‘yes’.

The dust is only just settling on the Panthers’ Grand Final victory, but that hasn’t stopped punters from getting into the early action on the 2022 NRL season with online bookmaker Sportsbet. The Panthers are the favourites to go back-toback next season, sitting at $5.50 and holding 40 per cent of the cash.

! It’s no surprise we’ve heard very little from Panthers Chairman Dave O’Neill this past month. He’s put himself on something of a media ban. As the man who almost single-handedly brought Ivan Cleary back to Penrith despite huge criticism, the result on the weekend speaks for itself. He watched the Grand Final, very nervously, from home on Sunday night.

! 2003 Grand Final hero Joe Galuvao has put his match worn jersey from the Premiership decider against the Roosters up for auction. The money raised will be donated to the appeal for Mose Masoe,

! Thank you to everyone who’s read Panther Rumblings this year. In big news, I’ve agreed to a one-year extension after my sparkling form this season, so I’ll see you all again in March.

!

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Friday, October 8, 2021 « the western weekender • extra time

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feature

CLEARYS ENTER PANTHER HISTORY TROY DODDS

I

van Cleary has established himself as Penrith’s greatest ever coach after guiding the club to its third Premiership.

Cleary has finally broken his Premiership duck and in the process vindicated his controversial return to the Panthers in 2019.

Cleary has taken Penrith to two Grand Finals, three Preliminary Finals (2014, 2020 and 2021), a Minor Premiership and now Premiership glory.

He is now on the cusp of guiding the Panthers through something never achieved before – a long era of success.

Penrith failed to play Finals football for the five seasons after their 1991 triumph and were back out of the top eight just two years after winning the title in 2003.

Cleary has all the ingredients in place to win more competitions with one of the NRL’s youngest and most exciting squads.

His critics, loud in his return 2019 season in particular, now have egg on their faces.

In the space of two weeks Cleary has outcoached two of the best in the business in Craig Bellamy and Wayne Bennett.

In the process he has joined the NRL’s coaching elite.

Penrith’s hopes rode on Nathan’s shoulder The most talked about shoulder in rugby league has helped guide Penrith to its historic third title.

It may not go down in rugby league folklore like John Sattler’s broken jaw or Sam Burgess’ heroics but Nathan Cleary’s bravery has been instrumental in Penrith winning the trophy.

There were fears he was gone for the season after suffering the injury in Origin II. Penrith’s Premiership hopes would have gone with it.

But surgeons developed a plan to allow Cleary to rehab the injury and manage it through the season – knowing it could all fall apart at any minute, with immediate surgery required.

Making the win even more special is that he did it alongside his father and coach Ivan – the second father-son combination at Penrith to win the title, following in the footsteps of John and Martin Lang.

Nathan and Ivan Cleary with the NRL trophy. Photo: NRL Photos.

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, October 8, 2021

CONGRATULATIONS to the 2021 PREMIERS

Friday, October 8, 2021 « the western weekender • extra time

feature

THEY SAID IT: THE QUOTES FROM AN G

reg Alexander: “That was the worst 10 minutes of my life. I’m so proud of them. I really am. It’s overwhelming.

It’s beautiful, really. I don’t know what to say.”

Ray Warren: “The Panthers celebrate! 13 of these blokes debuted with the Panthers.

Six of them local juniors from places like St Marys, Mt Druitt, Minchinbury and Doonside. Well, they thought it was coming last year and I know it’s a fragile statistic to say you’ve got to lose one to win one and these people have had history revisit it.”

Phil Gould: “Ever since full-time in last year’s Grand Final they would’ve been dreaming for this day. They haven’t left a stone unturned and for all the hard work and everything they’ve done – look at that, they’ve won by two points. If they had cut a corner at any stage of the season, if they had backed off at any level, they don’t win the comp.”

Isaah Yeo: “Everyone wrote us off saying it was too hard for us. We have an awesome squad here, never give up. That’s three in a row, three hard games no one gave us a chance and to still be fighting and come away with it, it’s bloody unreal. It means everything [to Penrith]. We’re sort of

Nathan Cleary addresses the media after last Sunday’s Grand Final win. Photo: NRL Photos.

pushed aside in Sydney and we’re just hoping they’re proud of us because we’re bloody proud to represent you.”

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INCREDIBLE NIGHT IN BRISBANE Nathan Cleary: “Losing a Grand Final, it’s a different type of hurt, you can’t explain it.

I think that’s what makes this so much more special. We had the hurt of last year, we came back, we did it the hard way, we lost the first round of semis and got written off, and we just kept turning up for one another and this is just unbelievable.”

Adam Reynolds: “We just kept fighting and fighting right to the end but obviously they were just too good tonight.”

Jarome Luai: “It means so much… this is what it sort of feels like we were born for in a way. We trained so hard all this time, we moved away from home and for all our people back home, this is for you!”

at Penrith and given everyone something to hope for and they delivered tonight – they were fantastic.”

Peter Sterling: “Nathan Cleary summed it up in his post-match speech when he said ‘we’ve climbed Everest’ because that’s what it is, a Premiership is rugby league’s Everest and a lot of teams fall by the wayside and don’t get to the summit, but that’s where the Panthers are right at this moment.”

Brian To’o: “First and foremost I want to give all the glory to God… what a year it’s been. It’s been a massive year for not only myself, but my family and my community as well. I just want to thank my beautiful partner for saying ‘Yes’ and also to the boys for getting us the win. I’m really grateful to be here, I’m so lucky.”

had five guys that shouldn’t have played tonight, they’ve hardly trained and that’s been going on for about three weeks.

What can I say? It’s just awesome.”

Wayne Bennett: “It would mean a lot to him (Ivan Cleary). It takes you guys off his back. Sometimes you have a monkey on your back; he had a gorilla on his. It’s just jumped off.”

Compiled by Nathan Taylor.

Jarome Luai: “We’ve been through so much the past couple of weeks. We’ve had boys injured, boys not training all throughout the week, so we were a bit unsure of what our team was going to look like coming into the week but I love these boys, they dug deep for each other and that’s the Penrith spirit – let’s go!”

Liam Martin: “I can’t put it into words… you work so hard for this, it’s your childhood dream and for it to come true… I’m just on cloud nine right now.”

Brad Fittler: “These players have such a great connection to the community. Since they’ve had all these kids come through together, they’ve created such an energy out

Ivan Cleary: “It’s a bit surreal actually… these boys are incredible. We probably Ivan Cleary claimed his first Premiership after Penrith downed South Sydney 14-12 in the Grand Final.

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Friday, October 8, 2021 « the western weekender

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THE FIVE MOMENTS THAT MATTERED T

hese are the five biggest moments that decided the 2021 NRL Grand Final...

matter. Jarome Luai puts up a kick that is taken on the full by Jaxson Paulo. Matt Burton gets the better of him, immediately pouncing and tackling him in to touch, putting the Rabbitohs under immense pressure.

5. Burton draws first blood (16th minute) After a ferocious opening 15 minutes, the Grand Final is suddenly blown wide open when Matt Burton finds space on the left and crosses for the game’s first points.

Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai combined brilliantly to draw the Souths defenders in and allow the Dally M Centre of the Year to have a clear path to the line.

2. Reynolds misses crucial conversion (75th minute) South Sydney halfback Adam Reynolds had a chance to level the game at 14-all after Alex Johnston scored out wide with seven minutes to go.

The Rabbitohs skipper lined up the kick and it looked good off the boot – starting right as his conversions often do. But it never came back, and stayed to the side of the post – leaving the Rabbitohs down by two points.

4. Kikau’s mega hit (59th minute) With the game level at 8-all, Nathan Cleary kicks just inside Souths territory on the last tackle.

The ball hangs in the air and appears to be taken clearly by Jaxson Paulo, but he spills it backwards. Blake Taaffe cleans up the ball, but is shown no mercy by a rampaging Viliame Kikau.

The towering second rower smashes him into the in-goal area, forcing a crucial drop-out.

3. Burton puts Paulo into touch (64th minute) The game is level and the championship minutes are closing in. Moments will

What a moment: Matt Burton scores the first try of the Grand Final. Photo: NRL Photos.

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feature

1. Crichton’s intercept (66th minute) With Souths starting to gain the momentum and weeks of tough football bearing down on the Panthers, Stephen Crichton produced a Grand Final moment that will never be forgotten.

With Souths launching an attacking raid on Penrith’s right-side defence, Crichton plucked a Cody Walker pass out of the air and raced away to score, breaking an 8-all deadlock and putting Penrith back in control of the contest.

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PREMIERS

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Friday, October 8, 2021 « the western weekender • extra time

Nobody can deny the Panthers deserve to be champions

Brought to you by

joel caine N

ow that the season’s won and done, it’s time to take a look back at what we were thinking prior to Round 1.

On the back of last year’s heartbreak, I was one of many who picked the Panthers to go all the way in ’21.

Jumping back to my first piece, I said: “In 2020, Ivan Cleary’s side conceded just 11.9 points per game, their best defensive effort since the 1991 Premiership side let in an average of just 11.36 points against under the legendary Phil Gould. The Panthers glaring talent and match-winning ability means the only team they will need to beat this year is themselves. I’m not only expecting the Panthers to contend again, but I’m bullish on their chances to go one better in 2021, exactly three decades on from that famous first title.”

Well, mission accomplished, Penrith.

You finished the season with just 11.7 points against per game – and just 10 per game in Finals – in other words, you beat yourself and you needed every bit of it. But, you have this forever now.

For context of how much that defence did for Ivan’s side, here are the points per game scored in the Finals for the last dozen Premiership winners: 2021’s Panthers – 10.5, 2020’s Storm – 31.3, 2019’s Roosters – 19.3, 2018’s Roosters – 18, 2017’s Storm – 27.3, 2016’s Sharks – 20.6, 2015’s Cowboys – 17.5, 2014’s Rabbitohs – 34, 2013’s Roosters – 23.3, 2012’s Storm – 26,

The players celebrate with fans after Sunday night’s game. Photo: NRL Photos.

2011’s Sea Eagles – 30.6 and finally 2010’s Dragons scoring on average 24.3 points per Finals game.

To win the competition scoring just 10.5

points per game over four games in a Finals series takes serious character.

Throw in all of the injury burdens, COVID distractions and the fact Ivan’s men had to

beat Bennett and Bellamy in consecutive weeks … 2021 will go down as one of the hardest earned premierships in competition history.

2021 NRL PREMIERS

Congratulations to the Penrith Panthers.

You have done yourselves, our community and the City proud.

Tuesdays 7:00pm-8:00pm

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, October 8, 2021

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Friday, October 8, 2021 « the western weekender • extra time

Special group of players could build a dynasty at the foot of the Mountains

lang on league

with Peter Lang

L

et me start my final column of the year by asking you all a quick question.

Why is the number 2770 so important to Penrith’s third Premiership victory?

I’ll give you a hint, it’s not the amount of tackles made or even metres run in a game.

In fact it’s not a rugby league stat at all.

2770 is important because it’s the postcode of Mount Druitt and its surrounding suburbs where a core quartet of Panthers players were raised and over the years formed a bond.

This bond eventually took them all the way to Suncorp Stadium where on October 3 they won the 2021 NRL Premiership by defeating the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

The boys, Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Spencer Leniu and Brian To’o, were a big reason why the Panthers won last Sunday but rather than form an exclusive club, over the years they opened their arms and hearts to players like Nathan Cleary, James Fisher-Harris and a host of others who they now proudly call their brothers.

Together this side overcame the odds, overcame injury, fatigue, homesickness and one of the toughest Finals draws in history to claim rugby league’s greatest prize.

So with the Penrith Panthers climbing ‘Everest’ and winning their third Premiership, there’s no reason the team can’t back it up again in 2022 and win back-to-back titles. In fact here’s five reasons why I think they can.

Brian To’o and Jarome Luai with the Provan-Summons Trophy. Photo: NRL Photos.

1. They will basically be the same side again next season with only Matt Burton and Kurt Capewell missing from the team. Their presence will be missed, sure,

however 15 of the 17 who played on Grand Final day will all be back!

2. The coaching staff of head coach Ivan Cleary, assistants Cameron Ciraldo,

Andrew Webster and Peter Wallace will also all be onboard.

3. Nathan Cleary will come back 100 per cent fit and determined to improve on his already incredible achievements in 2021. I mean the bloke is already a legend and he played most of this season with one healthy shoulder.

4. There are more great juniors coming through the system. Players like Taylan May and Izack Tago who got a taste of first grade this season. Let’s also not forget a kid by the name of Mavrik Geyer.

5. Most importantly the hunger will still be there. The players know they have a real opportunity to build a dynasty at the foot of the mountains.

They will be weary of the trials and tribulations that befell the club in the years after the 1991 and 2003 Premiership seasons and they will work hard, together with the front office to make sure those dips don’t happen again.

Now remember not all superheroes wear capes.

Sometimes they wear pink, sometimes they wear black ‘liquorice-all-sorts’ colours but to many children in the western suburbs, hell to many adults as well, the Panthers are rock stars.

See you all in 2022 Panthers fans, I can’t wait!

You’re simply the best!

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, October 8, 2021

A team to be proud of and a journey for the history books

troy dodds N

othing comes easy in Penrith.

There’s opportunities galore, but you have to work hard and you have to earn it. No shortcuts.

Such a reality confronted the city’s NRL team this past two years, and on Sunday night they triumphed in the best possible way.

And boy, did they earn it.

I’m not sure we quite comprehend yet just how remarkable it is that the Panthers have managed to dominate the past two seasons given it’s been the most challenging time in the game’s history.

It is a story that history will tell best – a story about how one of the youngest and most inexperienced teams in the competition navigated the uncertainty of a pandemic, being uprooted from the homes and community that mean so much to them, and finished it all off by taking home the Provan-Summons Trophy after one of the toughest Finals runs of all-time.

I mean let’s not forget there were still doubts about the Grand Final even going ahead some 12 hours before kick-off. That is the kind of pressure and uncertainty few teams have ever faced in the storied history of our great game.

It’s no fluke that it was the Panthers that navigated such challenges better than anyone.

It all stems back to the close-knit nature of this team; to the reality that this is a group of mates doing incredible things for each other. Letting your mate down isn’t an option. Not in Penrith and not in this footy team.

I couldn’t be prouder to be a Penrith fan, and I couldn’t have written this script any better.

To do it the long way round, to knock Melbourne out in a Preliminary Final and then survive a battle to the death against a gallant opposition to claim the title is the very epitome of earning it.

We are only just starting to learn about how brave some of the Grand Final performances by individuals were given the injury toll that had mounted at the back end of the season.

Any team who wins the competition has their own story, their own journey. But this Penrith story is something else.

This bunch of blokes has done the community they represent, the community they come from, more proud than they could ever possibly realise.

We are forever in their debt.

Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary celebrate the Grand Final win. Photo: NRL Photos.

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Friday, October 8, 2021 « the western weekender • extra time

GRAND FINAL IN PICTURES

Isaah Yeo and Matt Burton show off the trophy. Photo: NRL Photos.

Jarome Luai was all smiles after the 14-12 win over Souths. Photo: NRL Photos.

The Panthers celebrate after full-time. Photo: NRL Photos.

Believe it, Critter. Stephen Crichton checks out the main prize. Photo: NRL Photos.

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Ivan and Nathan Cleary embrace after the full-time siren. Photo: NRL Photos.

Kate Miller-Heidke performed the National Anthem before the game.

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, October 8, 2021

Ivan Cleary gets the traditional soaking. Photo: NRL Photos.

Jarome Luai and Brian To’o with the Provan-Summons Trophy. Photo: NRL Photos.

Viliame Kikau had plenty of support in the stands. Photo: NRL Photos.

Nathan Cleary with the Clive Churchill Medal. Photo: NRL Photos.

Moses Leota, Paul Momirovski and Kurt Capewell celebrate. Photo: NRL Photos.

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, October 8, 2021

HOW THE FANS CELEBRATED

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Friday, October 8, 2021 « the western weekender • extra time

EXTRA TIME AWARDS

CLEARY TAKES OUT TOP HONOUR NATHAN TAYLOR

I

t’s been an extraordinary year for the Penrith Panthers in more ways than one. To bounce back from last year’s heartbreak and win the ultimate prize less than 12 months later is stuff dreams are made of. We reflect on the year’s best in our Extra Time Awards for 2021…

Extra Time Player of the Year: Nathan Cleary For the second consecutive season, the Panthers co-captain and now Clive Churchill Medallist takes home our Player of the Year award.

The 23-year-old halfback is arguably the best player in the game and that couldn’t have been more evident than on Sunday night when he guided Penrith to their third NRL title, busted shoulder and all.

2020 winner: Nathan Cleary.

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Extra Time Rookie of the Year: Charlie Staines Even though he officially debuted in 2020, 2021 was Charlie Staines’ recognised rookie season – and boy was he a huge part of Penrith’s success early on.

While the “Forbes Ferrari” was only seen once late in the season, he did notch up 21 consecutive games on the wing.

During his time in first grade, Staines crossed the line on 14 occasions and broke 21 tackles. While he did eventually hit a rookie wall and was ultimately dropped, the 21-year-old is expected to be back in the mix for a first grade spot next season.

2020 winner: Stephen Crichton.

Extra Time Win of the Year: v Storm, Preliminary Final It was the Grand Final rematch everyone expected, instead it came one week early when Penrith took on the reigning Premiers for a place in the 2021 decider.

After a gruelling Finals battle the week

prior against Parramatta, not even the most one-eyed Panthers supporters gave the side much of a chance in this one. But, for the second straight week, the Panthers backed their incredible defence and managed to knock off Craig Bellamy’s men 10-6 in front of 30,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium.

2020 winner: v Roosters, Qualifying Final.

Extra Time Moment of the Year: Panthers win third NRL Premiership A moment Penrith fans have been patiently waiting 18 years for finally came to fruition last Sunday night in Brisbane when the Panthers – busted and battered after a long, tough year – claimed the club’s third NRL Premiership. It was a Grand Final for the ages, big moment after big moment. But in the end, Ivan Cleary’s men stood tall 2020 winner: Panthers qualify for Grand Final.

Extra Time Headline Event of the Year: NRL relocates to Queensland When COVID began wreaking havoc in Greater Sydney in June, the NRL were left with no choice but to relocate the entire competition to Queensland. It took just three days for the NRL to move hundreds of players and staff to bases in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. A four week trip ended up lasting right up until Grand Final day.

2020 winner: Club record winning streak.

Nathan Cleary. Photo: NRL Photos.

the western weekender » Friday, October 8, 2021

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Friday, October 8, 2021 « the western weekender