Extra Time July 10 2020

kiss off, critics KNOCKERS SILENCED AS PANTHERS EYE TOP FOUR FINISH FULL COVERAGE INSIDE

Photos: Fox Sports

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CLINTON MAYNARD

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All the latest news and gossip you won’t read anywhere else

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Friday, July 10, 2020 « the western weekender • extra time

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the final word

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, July 10, 2020

match preview

Api Koroisau was in fine form last weekend.

Photo: NRL Images.

TROY DODDS

W

hen a cool, calm and collected Nathan Cleary landed a field goal to edge Penrith in front against the Tigers last weekend with seven minutes on the clock, you just knew the visitors were going to get home.

The Panthers have backed their defence all season – especially since the resumption of the competition – and no matter what the Tigers threw at them in the last frantic stanza, Penrith were going to hang on.

In the end, Api Koroisau and Dylan Edwards combined for a brilliant try to give Ivan Cleary more breathing space up in the coach’s box, and send Tigers fans – one in particular – home angry.

This is a well drilled footy side slowly starting to make the rest of the rugby

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The good thing is the team still appears far from its best, and again Cleary gets to work on the required improvement within a winning environment.

Penrith haven’t conceded more than two tries in a game since the Round 5 defeat to Parramatta, and the toughness in defence is what will ensure the Panthers go further than most expected them to this season.

That defence will get a huge test on Saturday afternoon against a Cronulla side that has scored plenty of points over the past fortnight – clocking up 40 points two weeks in a row against the Titans and Sea Eagles.

Things have really started to turn around for the boys from the Shire after that shaky performance against the Bulldogs

three weeks ago, and after many wrote them off the side now sits in seventh spot on the ladder with four wins and four losses approaching the mid-way point of the reduced season.

The Sharks have lost Matt Moylan to a hamstring injury for this one, but there’s still plenty of points in this side – and many of them come from an unlikely source. It’s Cronulla’s forwards that often get over the line, and while their backline still has plenty of threats, Penrith will have to ensure their middle field toughness is strong.

Brian To’o has been forced out of this match with an ankle injury, but coach Cleary has a ready- made solution with Brent Naden named on the wing, allowing for Dean Whare’s return from a toe injury.

PANTHERS

I’m really looking forward to the battle of the hookers in this one – Apisai Koroisau is providing the energy and spark Penrith lacked out of dummy half last season, while Blayke Brailey is playing good footy for Cronulla and has scored in their last two matches.

While both these sides have proven they can score points when required, I’m predicting this will be a game won on defence, with a low scoreline likely.

Whoever can gain the ascendancy up the middle should walk away with the chocolates – and less bruises.

Get ready for another wild ride Panthers fans – I doubt the result of this one will be known until the final minutes, or perhaps not until Golden Point splits them.

Tip: Panthers by 1.

SHARKS

1 Dylan Edwards

10 James Fisher-Harris

1 Josh Dugan

2 Josh Mansour

11 Viliame Kikau

2 Sione Katoa

11 Briton Nikora

3 Dean Whare

12 Liam Martin

3 Bryson Goodwin

12 Wade Graham (c)

4 Stephen Crichton

13 Isaah Yeo

4 Jesse Ramien

13 Jack Williams

5 Brent Naden

14 Tyrone May

5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

14 Toby Rudolf

6 Jarome Luai

15 Zane Tetevano

6 Shaun Johnson

15 Braden Hamlin-Uele

7 Nathan Cleary

16 Moses Leota

7 Chad Townsend

16 Siosifa Talakai

10 Aaron Woods

8 James Tamou (c)

17 Billy Burns

8 Andrew Fifita

17 Royce Hunt

9 Apisai Koroisau

18 Mitch Kenny 19 M Watene-Zelezniak

9 Blayke Brailey

18 Scott Sorensen 19 Connor Tracey

29

Friday, July 10, 2020  the western weekender • extra time

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Koroisau has made Penrith a premiership threat in 2020

lang on league

with Peter Lang

A

pisai Koroisau is not only the ‘Buy of the Year’, if his current purple patch of form continues for the remainder of the season, he will also be crowned NRL Hooker of the Year in October.

Going into Round 9, Api led the way in tackles made and metres run by a hooker.

The real value of Koroisau however cannot be measured by statistics alone no matter how impressive the numbers are.

His addition to the Panthers’ team is probably the single biggest factor why Penrith are a top four team in 2020. Sure, his support cast are no mugs either. Halfback Nathan Cleary is in scintillating form while Viliame Kikau has been in ‘beast mode’ of late.

Take Api away however and I don’t think the Panthers are a chance of winning the Premiership in 2020. With him however they are a big chance. His show and go is sublime, the way he picks markers apart is uncanny and his ability to bamboozle the defence with deadly darting runs has to be seen to be believed.

Everybody is talking up young Tigers hooker Harry Grant and deservedly so, he’s a fine talent. But when the game was on the line last Saturday night at Bankwest Stadium it was Api Koroisau who came up with the winning play for the Panthers leaving young Harry behind to eat his dust.

What caught my eye last week...

It had to be the kiss delivered by Panthers coach Ivan Cleary to a salty Wests Tigers supporter after the game. It was good to see Ivan stick it to a disgruntled fan in such a humorous way. I thought comments made by ABC Grandstand commentator Matthew Elliott that Cleary shouldn’t have reacted in such a way was a bit rich.

I seem to remember him holding up his necktie like a hangman’s noose during a press conference a few years ago.

What game I am looking forward to...

The Raiders’ game against the Storm should be a real ‘bobby dazzler!’. Canberra have had the wood over Melbourne recently, easily defeating them 22- 6 in Round 3. The Storm showed even without Cameron Munster, that they’re a force to be reckoned with while the Raiders continue to improve.

My tips for the week...

Roosters, Titans, Bunnies, Panthers, Broncos, Storm, Eels, Dragons.

Api Koroisau is the ‘Buy of the Year’ according to Peter Lang. Photo: NRL Images.

The final word...

There was nothing wrong with several Broncos players letting out some tears following their loss last week. You can’t be criticised for laughing after a defeat one week and then be chastised for showing too much emotion the next.

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SAUCE EXCITED BY TEAM’S CULTURE NATHAN TAYLOR

P

enrith have been one of the NRL’s most consistent teams this season, but winger Josh Mansour believes they are yet to play their “perfect” game.

While the Panthers have been earning some strong praise in recent weeks, they haven’t put any side to the sword since their Round 4 thrashing of the New Zealand Warriors.

Since the season restart, Penrith have had enough ball and attacking opportunities to put plenty of teams away but they aren’t quite at that level… yet.

“We still haven’t played our perfect game, I think,” Mansour admitted.

“But the good thing is we are building every single week for our run towards the end of the year. I don’t think we really want to play our perfect game right now but, in saying that, everyone is really confident and everyone is doing a good job for each other – the environment here is unreal.”

The 30- year- old has been with Penrith since 2012 and has experienced just about everything in rugby league except an NRL

Josh Mansour in action against the Tigers last Saturday. Photo: NRL Images.

Premiership. From the highs to the lows of previous seasons, Mansour likes what he sees in the 2020 Panthers.

“Everyone is so happy here, everyone gets along,” he said.

“The age of the squad – apart from

me – is young, which just adds a lot of excitement. I think the culture is where we want it to be and we just want to keep developing as a team.”

After having the week off against the Rabbitohs in Round 7 for load manage-

ment on his troublesome knee, Mansour returned to the pitch against the Tigers last weekend in what was one of the most fiery games of his career.

While it didn’t match the intensity of his stint in Origin back in 2016, it was certainly right up there in terms of a mid- season NRL game.

“It was an extremely tough game, we knew they were going to be up for it,” Mansour said.

“They’ve been playing great footy, but I thought we all did a really good job. We did what we trained to do and it came down to the last 10 minutes of the game and a great field goal by Nathan before Dylan Edwards finished off.”

Edwards was in the thick of the action in the dying stages, with Wests Tigers centre BJ Leilua sinbinned for a brain explosion on the Panthers fullback ‘off the ball’.

Mansour said Leilua’s hit on Edwards was uncalled for.

“I think everyone thought it was but, again, it was a very emotional game, there was a lot of passion involved,” he said.

“Sometimes when you get too emotional you make silly decisions and I think it just clouded his judgement at the time and, unfortunately, Dylan had to cop the full brunt of it.”

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, July 10, 2020

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Friday, July 10, 2020 « the western weekender • extra time

feature

API EMERGES AS KEY TO SUCCESS NATHAN TAYLOR

P

anthers hooker Api Koroisau is not only being dubbed the ‘Buy of the Year’ by many fans and experts, but his teammates believe it as well.

The 27- year- old, who is currently enjoying his second stint at Penrith, is leading the NRL in touches (1065), tackles made (419) and is second in the league in dummy half runs (46).

It’s certainly no coincidence that Penrith’s strong start to the season coincides with the ex-Manly hooker’s arrival.

Speaking with the media on Monday, fellow 2020 recruit Zane Tetevano said getting to play alongside Koroisau is a lot better than going up against him.

“Playing against him over the years I always knew he was dangerous,” he said.

“Api’s a crafty player and is as tough as nails. All the work that he does in the middle, all the clean up work… he’s been great. To have him in our side is important.”

The Fijian helped Penrith to a third straight win last Saturday night when he burst through the defence to put Dylan Edwards over for the match-winning try.

Hooker Api Koroisau is getting plenty of praise from teammates.

Tetevano said Koroisau, who currently sits in the top 10 in Dally M voting, is one of the hardest workers at training and that’s translated into strong performances on the field.

“Api’s been incredible, the way he goes about his business, he works on it every time at training,” he said.

“Api has always been a great defender too and, what we’ve seen of him in the last six months, has been impressive.”

If Penrith are going to give the competition a real shake this spring, Koroisau and his teammates will need to continue to rise to another level.

The challenge doesn’t get any easier this Saturday when the Panthers travel to Kogarah Oval to face the in-form Sharks.

Penrith have an awful record against Cronulla in recent years, but did manage to jag a rare victory the last time they met in Round 21, 2019.

“The Sharks have been playing really well and had a good win last week. We know it’s going to be a tough game against them,” Tetevano said.

“It’s good to be in the position that we are in but we’re not going to rest on our laurels – we’re going to make sure we keep improving because we know, in this game, every team’s a good team.”

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Friday, July 10, 2020  the western weekender • extra time

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, July 10, 2020

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Friday, July 10, 2020 « the western weekender • extra time

panther rumblings

WITH THE MASKED PANTHER

KISS VICTIM APOLOGISES !

The former Fox Sports News producer who abused Ivan Cleary last Saturday night – leading to the Penrith coach blowing him a kiss – has apologised to the Panthers. The man’s expletive-laden attack on Cleary – in front of his own son – was totally unacceptable. It’s remarkable that some have focused on Cleary’s cheeky response rather than the supporter’s awful language in front of his young son, and his behaviour towards Cleary.

Brent Naden has some fun with the crowd at Bankwest Stadium.

Photo: NRL Images.

!

Talking of kisses, veteran Panthers winger Josh Mansour blew a kiss to journalists who interviewed him via Zoom on Monday morning.

!

Ivan Cleary wasn’t the only one getting on the nerves of the crowd at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday night.

Brent Naden also had a running battle with fans in the stands and enjoyed getting the last laugh – so much so that he ‘shooshed’ supporters after the full-time siren sounded.

!

Spotted: A number of passionate Panthers officials watching last Saturday night’s game between Penrith and Wests Tigers at The Star.

!

The fiery clash between the Panthers and Tigers was the most watched program on Fox Sports over the course of the weekend, outperforming all other NRL and AFL fixtures. An average of 283,805 watched the match – up 22 per cent on Penrith’s 2019 Fox League average.

!

Panthers winger Brian To’o has been dealt a devastating blow with scans on his injured ankle revealing he could be out for up to two months. To’o was hurt during Penrith’s 19-12 win over the Wests Tigers at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday night. Scans have revealed a grade three syndesmosis injury in his left ankle. The 21-year-old will see a specialist but it’s expected he’ll miss up to eight weeks.

!

Things could start to get a little awkward in media boxes across the country in the coming weeks. A number of media organisations, including The

win over the Tigers last weekend. The chat was full of laughs and smiles.

Daily Telegraph, no longer use AAP for copy. The newswire was recently saved from closure and is continuing to run, albeit with cuts to staff. It hasn’t gone unnoticed that some publications are still using AAP copy and quotes, despite not having a subscription. It’s very likely to get messy.

!

The NRL this week confirmed the schedule for rounds nine to 12, with Penrith’s return to Panthers Stadium in Round 10 officially rubber-stamped. The Panthers are heading to Kogarah Oval to take on the Sharks this weekend and face trips to Cbus Super Stadium and Lottoland over the coming month. Incredibly, Penrith haven’t left Sydney once so far this season.

!

Tigers centre Joseph Leilua’s brain explosion in the dying moments of last week’s game has cost him four weeks on the sidelines. It was a sickening hit on Dylan Edwards off the ball (pictured right) and only added to the drama coming out of the game. Leilua took an early guilty plea after being hit with a grade three Dangerous Contact charge.

!

Spotted: Penrith’s spine – Dylan

!

Edwards, Jarome Luai, Nathan Cleary and Api Koroisau – having their own briefing with members of the team’s coaching staff in the immediate aftermath of the

Have you spotted a Panther out and about? Got some news you can’t wait to share? Email me at maskedpanther@ westernweekender.com.au. I’m not very good at keeping secrets but I do protect my sources!

OFFICIAL PARTNER

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WW39693

Brought to you by

matt russell M

y oath this year’s NRL Premiership winner should carry an asterisk! * = Denotes a most amazing and meritorious achievement given the disruptive effects of a global pandemic (COVID-19).

The team that lifts the trophy on Grand Final Day will not only have succeeded against 15 other clubs but will have done so in extraordinary circumstances.

To prepare for the season, back in summer, many of the teams had to train in think bushfire smoke. Some couldn’t for health reasons. Players had to wrestle with the insignificance of throwing a Steeden around while the nation battled one of its worst natural disasters. Some had family and friends affected. Others helped how they could in and around preseason training.

With the flames barely out and the season only two- weeks- old, a global pandemic brought the campaign to a shuddering halt. For weeks, the players were isolated, training in garages or by themselves at local parks. There was limited access to high performance training staff and equipment.

When they returned to the field, there was much fanfare but no fans. The standard the players have achieved, despite the lack of atmosphere and occasion, has

It’ll take a special team to lift the NRL trophy this year. Photo: NRL Images.

been breathtaking. They played from within a bubble, that severely limited them and their families, while the rest of the country saw restrictions ease.

On the field, they had to adapt to a ‘new game’ quickly – the result of the ‘six again’ rule.

There was no time to spare, as the regular season was cut to 20 rounds.

The new structure, without bye rounds, presented another challenge – punching out 18 consecutive weekends of footy, straight into four weeks of Finals.

What about the game- day drain, with usual travel routines scrapped and a condensed itinerary implemented to meet bio-security standards.

For part of the season, many clubs didn’t have a home ground. There’s a big advantage gone.

For part of the season, the Warriors and Melbourne didn’t have a home at all.

Imagine the difficulties.

Of course all this is on top of the usual long- term injuries, contract wrangles, refereeing controversies and other NRL soap opera.

So cheer your team loud and proud, knowing if some negative Nancy tells you the Premiership will come with an asterisk, you can agree.

2020 Premiers. * * = One of the best since 1908!

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, July 10, 2020

Why this year’s Premiership deserves an asterisk

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Friday, July 10, 2020 « the western weekender • extra time

40

nrl ladder & fixtures CLUB

PD

W

D

L

B

F

A

+/-

PTS

1

Eels

8

7

0

1

0

200

92

+108 14

2

Panthers

8

6

1

1

0

162

110

+52

13

3

Storm

8

6

0

2

0

175

108

+67

12

4

Knights

8

5

1

2

0

183

132

+51

11

5

Roosters

8

5

0

3

0

226

96

+130 10

6

Raiders

8

5

0

3

0

150

113

+37

10

7

Sharks

8

4

0

4

0

186

158

+28

8

8

W. Tigers

8

4

0

4

0

187

159

+28

8

9

Rabbitohs

8

4

0

4

0

170

144

+26

8

10 Sea Eagles

8

4

0

4

0

129

129

0

8

11

Cowboys

8

3

0

5

0

179

211

-32

6

12 Warriors

8

3

0

5

0

105

198

-93

6

13 Dragons

8

2

0

6

0

122

168

-46

4

14 Broncos

8

2

0

6

0

108

235

-127

4

15 Titans

8

2

0

6

0

106

233

-127

4

16 Bulldogs

8

1

0

7

0

86

188

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ROUND 9 V

Thursday, July 9 7.50pm QLD Country Bank Stadium

V

Friday, July 10 6.00pm Cbus Super Stadium

V

Friday, July 10 7.55pm Bankwest Stadium

V

Saturday, July 11 3.00pm Kogarah Oval

V

Saturday, July 11 5.30pm Suncorp Stadium

V

Saturday, July 11 7.35pm GIO Stadium

V

Sunday, July 12 4.05pm McDonald Jones Stadium

V

Sunday, July 12 6.30pm Kogarah Oval

Face In Th e Crowd

IS THIS YOU? ?

Is this you at a recent Penrith Panthers game? If it is, you’ve won a Hoyts Family Movie Pass to use at any Hoyts Cinema in Australia! To collect your prize, visit the Weekender office at 2/42-44 Abel Street, Jamisontown and ask for Nathan Taylor.

Extra Time Issue Number 2020-014 PRODUCED BY The Western Weekender EDITOR Troy Dodds / 4722 2998 troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au WRITERS Nathan Taylor, Clinton Maynard, Peter Lang, Matt Russell SALES DIRECTOR Chris Pennisi / 4722 2998 chris.pennisi@westernweekender.com.au

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clinton maynard I

loved seeing Ivan Cleary blow a kiss on the weekend. If there is someone who is the definition of emotionless it’s the Panthers coach, he’d be hard pressed cracking a smile if his team won the Grand Final and his son was the Clive Churchill medallist, so to see him display some real passion was fantastic.

The Wests Tigers Chairman described Cleary’s behaviour as unacceptable and unprofessional.

That’s a fair enough opinion from the Tigers given the history and bad blood with Cleary after he walked out of the club, however the Panthers coach had been copping it from fans who clearly didn’t get on the bus, so good on him for responding.

So much character and passion has disappeared from the game. Everything is so well stage managed and controlled sometimes, the fact the sport is there to entertain is forgotten.

Seeing Broncos players actually in tears after their sixth straight loss on the weekend was another good thing because it shows they just might care a little bit.

The previous week against the Titans it appeared they couldn’t be happier, almost high fiving their opponents after being beaten.

No one wants to hear players interviewed and come up with the usual response,

“we are taking it one game at a time”, it’s not just boring, it’s a waste of time.

Why doesn’t the NRL introduce a truth in interviews and press conferences policy for players and coaches?

Wouldn’t it be refreshing to hear a player or coach be honest?

Say if the Roosters are playing the Bulldogs, in the lead up wouldn’t it be great to hear Boyd Cordner say “yeah Canterbury deserve to be anchored to the bottom of the table, I know they try hard but there wouldn’t be one player in that squad who’d make our 17 and clearly their accountant isn’t as good as ours”.

Or Broncos coach Anthony Seibold after another loss, “Let’s be honest, Anthony Milford is probably worth a hundred thousand dollars and we are paying him a million, Darius should’ve retired when Wayne left and I’ve won the Lotto with this five-year contract”.

I know I’m dreaming but with the advancements in lie detector technology surely the NRL could enforce it.

My point is, the fans can see through the manufactured plastic responses and what we witnessed from Ivan Cleary last weekend was exactly what rugby league needs a lot more of.

Does the game need more emotion? Tell us what you think by emailing news@ westernweekender.com.au.

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary. Photo: NRL Images.

extra minutes

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, July 10, 2020

Cleary’s kiss was exactly what rugby league needed

NOBODY IN THE WORLD SELLS MORE REAL ESTATE THAN RE/MAX.®

!

ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys has reiterated his push for uncapped crowds to be attending NRL matches from August. In an interview with 2GB’s Jim Wilson on Monday afternoon, V’landys said he can’t see a reason why restrictions shouldn’t be lifted if Coronavirus case numbers stay low in New South Wales and Queensland. The NRL is extremely hopeful of sellout crowds for the NRL Grand Final and State of Origin series in October and November.

So Panthers, we tamed the Tigers!

!

!

The injury-plagued Matt Moylan is set to miss at least another month of football after suffering a hamstring tear last weekend. The Sharks fullback, who could miss up to six weeks, missed 14 games last year through injury and has only played five matches this year.

!

The Bulldogs look set to be without

ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys.

Hope everybody is fit after a bruising game, well done!

– Phil

lock Adam Elliott for the rest of the season after he dislocated his shoulder late in the game against Souths last weekend.

!

Still on Canterbury, and a core group of fans is lobbying the NRL and State Government to invest funds into Belmore Sports Ground, pushing a ‘back to Belmore’ campaign.

!

Blake Green is on the hunt for a new NRL club after being told he’s unwanted by the Warriors beyond this season. The 33-year-old is keen to play on rather than retire, and it’s understood there is some interest from other clubs. Green is still in good form despite the Warriors’ up and down season.

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Sharks premiership winner Paul Gallen has called for microphones to be banned from recording on-field action.

It follows Manly star Addin FonuaBlake’s tirade at referee Grant Atkins on Sunday, which saw him sent from the field. In a bizarre take given how important access is to fans and broadcasters, Gallen said those watching at home should never have heard Fonua-Blake’s comments. “Why should everybody out there hear what he’s saying? Why should they hear that? Not everyone can be there, they shouldn’t be there,” he told ‘100% Footy’.

Always happy to chat Phil Haley 0412 355 020

PUT OUR WINNING TEAM TO WORK Litsa Meleti 0466 04 969 164

Gizzelle Powell 0428 934 618

Paul Tanner 0410 587 553

Victor Borg 0439 755 081

Kassandra Richards 0405 329 851

Alana Neville 0497 848 414

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Friday, July 10, 2020 ÂŤ the western weekender

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