Extra Time June 14

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PICK ME, FREDDY JA MES M ALONEY PREPARES FOR BLUES RESCUE MISSION PANTHERS V SOUTHS > P29 Can the Panthers make it four in a row as their revival continues?

MASKED PANTHER > P30 The latest on Tyrone Peachey plus a Panther faces court

CLINTON MAYNARD > P35 Crowd concern: Why hasn’t the NRL got scheduling right?

Friday, June 14, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

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Fittler must make big calls ahead of Origin II

ANDY RAYMOND I

t’s funny how the rugby league Gods seem to throw up the perfect storylines at the perfect time.

When the draw was released at the end of last year a Round 14 game between the Panthers and Rabbitohs would have looked like your run of the mill club game.

Fast forward six months and this Saturday night’s showdown shapes as the most crucial 80 minutes in the representative careers of Cody Walker, Nathan Cleary and James Maloney.

There were few players under more pressure heading into the State of Origin series opener than Nathan Cleary and that pressure has only intensified since the Maroons escaped with an 18-10 victory at Suncorp Stadium.

It took all of 60 seconds for the post game one talk to turn to the Blues halves and who would be left standing for game two in Perth.

There’s been calls for Mitchell Pearce, who has won five man of the match awards in succession, to be shoehorned into the Blues halves, but there are those who believe that Pearce’s time in sky blue has come and gone.

There’s been calls for Maloney to be recalled into the New South Wales side following his series winning form for the Blues in 2018.

And there’s been calls for Walker, who was taken from the field with half an hour remaining on the clock in game one, to be given a second chance.

And then you throw Jack Wighton into the mix and it becomes a very interesting round of football.

By the time Walker, Maloney and Cleary take to ANZ Stadium on Saturday night, Wighton and Pearce would have had their last chance to impress selectors.

With a short turnaround between the side being named and the game being played, Brad Fittler’s side will have just three training sessions and a captain’s run before they run out and try and save this year’s series at Optus Stadium so combinations will be key.

On paper it would appear Maloney and Cleary have the inside running given their club combination, but let’s not forget that Maloney and Pearce won a premiership together at the Roosters in 2013 and then you’ve got Walker and Pearce who have

Will Nathan Cleary keep his Blues jersey for Origin II? Photo: Megan Dunn been arguably the best two players in the game this year.

If Maloney and Cleary can come up with an inspired 80 minute performance like they did against the Roosters last weekend

or if Walker can find the magic that eluded him in the State of Origin opener, you can guarantee that it will be a sleepless night for Fittler and his selectors on Saturday night.

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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 Isaah Yeo Brent Naden Brian To’o James Maloney Nathan Cleary James Tamou (c) Mitch Kenny James Fisher-Harris Viliame Kikau Frank Winterstein Liam Martin Wayde Egan Jarome Luai Moses Leota Reagan Campbell-Gillard Caleb Aekins 19 Kaide Ellis

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, June 14, 2019

MATCH PREVIEW

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FOX LEAGUE

Brent Naden celebrates his first NRL try last weekend. Photo: Megan Dunn

TROY

DODDS How good is footy?

All of a sudden, Penrith fans are on top of the world after Ivan Cleary’s side recorded its third straight win last weekend, a 19-10 toppling of defending champions the Roosters.

Forget that Trent Robinson’s outfit was without a host of big names – last Sunday’s game wasn’t about the understrength Roosters, it was about the tenacity and enthusiasm Penrith played with, something that was lacking in the first few months of the season.

Cleary now has his side humming along and sitting just two points outside the top eight. The Finals door is far from being open, but it’s safe to say it has been unlocked and the Panthers have a chance

of re-writing history if they keep up their winning ways.

The Panthers are benefiting from the tightness of the competition outside of the top four, and it’s quite possible that 28 points, or even 26, will get you into the top eight this year, which keeps the Finals flame alive for Penrith.

After getting through the daunting task of facing the Roosters last weekend, the tough encounters keep coming with Penrith facing Wayne Bennett’s Rabbitohs this Saturday evening at ANZ Stadium.

Souths started the season well but have the wobbles at the moment, beaten by the Eels and Knights in their last two matches as the Origin period starts to bite. Things have also been made more difficult for the Rabbitohs with Sam Burgess undergoing shoulder surgery this week and facing a stint on the sidelines, and Adam Reynolds remaining out with a back problem.

ABC 702 2GB 873 Souths, who sit second on the ladder, were out- enthused by the Knights last Friday night and never looked in the contest, but you can never under-estimate a Wayne Bennett coached team.

The halves battle in this one will be intriguing, with Bennett naming Cody Walker and Adam Doueihi to guide his team around the park against Nathan Cleary and James Maloney, who may well be packing their bags for Perth on Sunday with a solid performance here potentially locking down their reunion in Blues colours for Origin II. That said, Walker has a point to prove after a disappointing effort in Origin I, and is fighting for his representative future against the Panthers, which could bring out the best in him.

Penrith continue to have vulnerabilities on the edges (which certainly brings the likes of Dane Gagai and James Roberts

1

Corey Allan

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

Dane Gagai James Roberts Kyle Turner Campbell Graham Cody Walker Adam Doueihi George Burgess Damien Cook Liam Knight John Sutton Ethan Lowe Cameron Murray Tevita Tatola Mark Nicholls Dean Britt Tom Amone

into play) but I’d expect the Rabbitohs to try to do the business up the middle in this one. Souths have more line engagements than any other team in the competition and also lead the NRL in line breaks, so you can expect them to try to tire Penrith’s forward pack and expose their opposition’s ill- discipline, which sees Penrith still leading the competition in penalties conceded.

All of the stats point to a Souths win this weekend, but those stats are irrelevant when you consider the form of both these teams in the last fortnight, which is surely the most important factor leading into Saturday evening.

Penrith have some much - needed momentum at the moment and I think they can get over a depleted Souths side that looks desperate for rep round and an upcoming bye.

Tip: Panthers by 6.

29

Friday, June 14, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

PANTHER RUMBLINGS

with the Masked Panther

JIMMY’S BLUE  SOS James Maloney. After being forced to watch Origin I from his couch last week, it’s highly likely that Maloney will be named in Brad Fittler’s Blues team for Origin II in Perth. Maloney, who turns 33 on Saturday, has made no secret about his desire to play for the Blues again after partnering with Nathan Cleary to guide Fittler’s team to a series win last year.

With a short preparation for the Perth game and Cody Walker failing to fire in Origin I, it’s highly likely Fittler will go with the club combination of Cleary and Maloney to help save the series.

James Maloney speaking with Channel Nine

 Penrith releasing Dallin Watene-

Zelezniak last Friday came as no surprise, but what was a shock was the announcement that he’d be joining the Bulldogs on an 18 month contract. The 23-year-old winger had been linked with the Eels, Tigers and Cowboys but the Bulldogs barely rated a mention. I’m told North Queensland did show heavy interest and in fact Watene-Zelezniak may have got himself a better deal in Townsville, but a desire to stay in Sydney won out in the end. While the terms of his departure from Penrith are being kept confidential, I’ve been told the Panthers paid very little towards Watene-Zelezniak’s Bulldogs deal.

 Which journalist was on the end of a

not-so-nice phone call from Dallin Watene-Zelezniak over the long weekend?

 With the rep round next weekend, you

can expect player movements to ramp up as squads are shuffled and settled ahead of the June 30 deadline. For Penrith, the big question is whether Tyrone Peachey’s return to the club will be finalised. Officially, the club is telling me it’s “highly unlikely”, but like most I think we’ll see a deal done for the 27-year-old to quit the Gold Coast and return home. The retention and recruitment committee that is now in charge of player movements and the salary cap at Penrith is yet to meet on the Peachey issue, and is unlikely to discuss the matter until next week.

published in News Corp papers last weekend. I’ve been able to confirm that Parramatta are legitimately interested in Blake, who is currently on the sidelines with a knee injury, but Penrith are keen to keep him. Of course, money talks and if the Eels are persistent, you never know what could happen – this is rugby league after all.

 Waqa Blake to the Eels? That was the

 Thirsty fans are unhappy that the club

rumour doing the rounds after an article

has removed the temporary bar that

CC TYRES FAMILY-OWNED & OPERATED, WITH OVER 60 YEARS SERVICING THE PENRITH REGION.

was previously in place underneath the western grandstand at Panthers Stadium.

It’s been missing for a few games now but with such a big crowd in attendance last Sunday, its loss was felt by those waiting in long bar lines. The temporary bar has been replaced by a gozleme van.

 His son may be quickly emerging as a

fan favourite at Penrith, but Mitch Kenny’s dad is finding it hard to let go of his Wests Tigers loyalties. “I grew up a Tigers

fan, my dad is Tigers tragic. He still wears his Wests Tigers jersey to every one of my games,” Kenny told Extra Time. “He wore a Tigers jersey to my debut – Penrith vs Parramatta. He just doesn’t stop, the man’s insane.”

 The NRL Integrity Unit will determine

the short-term playing future of Tyrell Fuimaono after he plead guilty to a charge of hindering police. No conviction was recorded when he faced court.

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Mitch Kenny.

Photo: Melinda Jane

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, June 14, 2019

FEATURE

ON THE RISE MITCH KENNY IS ALREADY A FAN FAVOURITE NATHAN

TAYLOR As a member of Penrith’s dedicated groundskeeping team, Mitch Kenny was mowing lawns, trimming hedges and pulling weeds for the club a little over one month ago. Today, he’s gearing up to play the South Sydney Rabbitohs in his fourth straight game of first grade.

The 21-year-old Windsor junior has literally gone from a part-time footballer and groundskeeper to an 80- minute hooker overnight.

Perhaps he’s Penrith’s lucky charm too, with the club stringing together three consecutive wins with Kenny in the side.

“It’s been a whirlwind… four weeks ago I was mowing lawns and working on the gardens, I didn’t know I’d be here right now,” Kenny told Extra Time.

“I’m really grateful for the experiences

I’ve had this year, this is a dream come true playing first grade at Penrith. It’s been a crazy few months and weeks but I’m happy to be riding the wave.”

Things got even crazier for Kenny last week after he became the beneficiary of prop Tim Grant’s selfless act to terminate his playing contract following a seasonending pectoral injury.

Grant’s decision to remove himself from Penrith’s books and vacate a spot in the top 30 squad allowed Kenny to be promoted into the side – meaning the club no longer needs to apply for an exemption to play him for the remainder of the season.

Kenny said Grant’s decision to allow a young local junior like himself to take his spot meant the world to him.

“I’m super grateful to Timmy Grant, I spoke to him and he knows that,” he said.

“He’s such a selfless guy and we love him around the club. I’m just so grateful for what he did.

“I’m not counting my chickens before they hatch, I’ve got to let my performances do the talking but just to know I’m going to be considered each week for first grade is a dream come true.”

“IT’S BEEN A CRAZY FEW MONTHS AND WEEKS BUT I’M HAPPY TO BE RIDING THE WAVE”

Since Peter Wallace’s retirement mid last year, Penrith have struggled in the dummy half department.

While Sione Katoa and Wayde Egan have had their moments over the past 12 months, Kenny has given the Panthers an extra spring in their step and that’s been evident since his debut against the Eels back in Round 11.

While time will tell if Penrith have found their long- term hooker in Kenny, he’s already more than enjoying his opportunity in the NRL. “I’m still pinching myself… on the weekend I got to play against Cronk, Tedesco and the Australian captain in Boyd Cordner, that’s ridiculous,” Kenny said.

“Playing against Souths this weekend is going to be the same, there’s some quality blokes there and guys I’ve looked up to.

“I’m just looking forward to another game in first grade, and four wins in a row wouldn’t hurt too.”

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Friday, June 14, 2019 « the western weekender

NRL needs to address scheduling issues

CLINTON MAYNARD I

t’s time for the NRL to get creative.

The product of rugby league has never been better. 2019 is shaping as another tight competition. Teams that were predicted to run away at the top of the ladder like Souths and the Sydney Roosters are now struggling through the Origin period. Teams that had been written off by some including the Panthers are creeping up the ladder. However for many games crowds are still staying away.

When the NRL gets scheduling right fans do come out. Sunday afternoons are proving popular, last weekend more than 30,000 turned out to Suncorp Stadium to watch the Broncos beaten by the Titans, a great effort given Origin was played at the same ground a few days before. More than 16,000 packed Panthers Stadium to watch Penrith beat the Premiers on a beautiful winter’s afternoon. It proves when the timeslot and conditions are right fans will come.

However last Friday night was another embarrassment for the NRL. Just over 8,000 turned up to watch Newcastle beat Souths at ANZ Stadium. A pitiful crowd given the Rabbitohs sat at the top of the

ladder! Again another embarrassment for the former Olympic Stadium, 77,000 empty seats.

The issue here is scheduling. The second Friday night game was played just down the road at the new Bankwest Stadium.

Why on Earth would the NRL schedule two matches on the one night just 15 minutes away from each other?

The NRL must get creative to attract crowds to unpopular timeslots like 6pm on Friday or if it plans to persist playing games at unsuitable grounds like ANZ. Last Friday night should’ve been a double header at the new Bankwest Stadium.

Play both games there from 6pm, make it an event and the NRL probably attracts a bigger crowd than the combined 20,000.

Imagine the excitement for Newcastle or Souths fans who haven’t been to Sydney’s best rectangular ground yet, much more appealing than the cold soulless Homebush.

What if the NRL introducing a variable ticket pricing system? For matches played in unpopular timeslots, 6pm Friday or Thursday night, only charge half price and offer up $1 hot dogs.

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, June 14, 2019

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-42

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14 Panthers

13

5

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177

272

-95

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15 Titans

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16 Bulldogs

13

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300 -136

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FACE IN THE CROWD

Round 14

/ / / / / / / /

Thursday, June 13 7.50pm GIO Stadium Friday, June 14 6pm Cbus Super Stadium Friday, June 14 7.55pm 1300SMILES Stadium Saturday, June 15 3pm AAMI Park

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Extra Time Issue Number 2019-014 PRODUCED BY The Western Weekender EDITOR Troy Dodds / 4722 2998 / troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au

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PANTHERS 19 ROOSTERS 10

NSW CUP

PANTHERS 32 BEARS 0 Tim Grant early in his career at the Panthers. Photo: Melinda Jane A Panther through and through Tim Grant made the selfless decision to terminate his own contract at the Penrith Panthers last week, but it wasn’t the first time that Grant has left the Panthers.

The local junior debuted with Penrith in 2007 and was set to be a Panther for life, until a dramatic switch to South Sydney in 2015.

Rumours about Grant’s move to Souths started very early in the 2014 season.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported in late March: “Penrith have scotched rumours that former State of Origin prop Tim Grant could leave the NRL

club. Speculation became widespread that Grant could depart and possibly link with South Sydney after he was dropped from the Panthers’ side that lost to Parramatta on Saturday, having initially been named in coach Ivan Cleary’s 17-man squad.”

But less than four weeks after that article, and Penrith’s denial, the situation had changed dramatically.

On April 18, 2014, South Sydney issued a statement: “The South Sydney Rabbitohs have signed representative front row forward Tim Grant for the next four seasons today.”

Grant, who never really wanted to leave Penrith but was forced out due

to salary cap pressures and form, said at the time he was happy to join the Rabbitohs.

“South Sydney is a great Club and I’m looking forward to joining them next season,” Grant said.

“However in saying that, I still have a job to do here at Penrith.”

In the end, Grant would play only 21 games for the Rabbitohs. He was released from the final three years of his contract and joined the Wests Tigers, where he played 46 games between 2016 and 2018.

It seems fitting that Grant returned to Penrith in 2019, finishing his career where it all started.

JERSEY FLEGG

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, June 14, 2019

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