Extra Time June 19 2020

MASKED PANTHER Injury blow for Capewell, plus Penrith plan homecoming

PAGE 26

MARTIN MAGIC Likeable forward promises big performances as revised NRL season heats up

PAGE 27

GLOSSY POSTER INSIDE Josh Mansour shows off his muscles in our weekly pin-up

PAGES 30-31

LANG ON LEAGUE Tyrone May set to earn a new Panthers contract, despite extended time off the field

PAGE 33

STORM ALERT PANTHERS FACE BIGGEST TEST OF SEASON SO FAR MATCH PREVIEW: PAGE 25

Friday, June 19, 2020 « the western weekender • extra time

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the final word

v

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, June 19, 2020

match preview

James Tamou.

Photo: NRL Images.

TROY DODDS

I

n his post-match press conference last Friday night following the 16- 10 loss to Parramatta, coach Ivan Cleary was asked to reflect on a game two weeks earlier – against Newcastle – where a drift in concentration after leading 14- 0 had cost his side a competition point.

Such a lapse had just happened again, and Cleary conceded it was an issue: “We’re still learning that,” he said, referring to ensuring the concentration levels remain high even when the scoreboard is significantly in your favour.

But there is positives for Cleary to take out of both the Newcastle and Eels collapses. While three competition points in total have been painfully taken from their grasp, Penrith has been in a position to win every game so far this season, which gives the coach a platform to build from. The fact they’ve grabbed seven vital competition points along the way is

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FRIDAY, JUNE 19 | 7.55PM | CAMPBELLTOWN STADIUM | REFEREE: ASHLEY KLEIN a bonus, as the Panthers get to play each game from within the eight – a critical advantage in this reduced season.

Had Penrith not conceded a try against the Knights before half- time in round three and had they avoided the eight minutes of chaos in the second half last weekend, they’d be sitting pretty at the top of the competition ladder. Rugby league is full of ‘what ifs’ but this scenario appears legitimate enough to give Penrith fans confidence heading into Friday night’s clash with Melbourne at Campbelltown Stadium.

The Storm go into the game as favourites on the back of two strong performances against the Rabbitohs and Knights. But while Craig Bellamy would be comfortable with his side’s spot on the ladder, he may well be concerned by the somewhat incomplete performances his side is offering.

Melbourne haven’t delivered a complete 80 minute performance this season, often leaving it late to wrap up games they’d otherwise have in the bag by half- time.

And when a side comes along that really takes it to them – like Canberra a few weeks ago – they struggle to find their way back into the match.

That opens the door for Penrith, but that drift in concentration needs to disappear from their game otherwise it’ll be punished by a Melbourne side that, much like the Eels, will not gift you back the lead once it’s been surrendered.

The Panthers welcome back Dylan Edwards this week, providing a welcome boost at fullback. After numerous injury setbacks and with some handy talent eyeing off his position, he’ll feel he has plenty to prove.

Cleary has again named Matt Burton on the bench, maintaining the Jarome Luai

PANTHERS

/ Nathan Cleary halves combination. He clearly wants to make three go into two, but for me it didn’t go anywhere near having the desired result last weekend – and is a questionable game plan when you consider how the spot on the bench could be better utilised.

I’d prefer to see the Panthers improve their rotation with four forwards on the bench, particularly given some of the versatility at Cleary’s disposal should a back go down injured. Is it time for Jack Hetherington to offer some real mongrel?

(Let’s hope Burton comes on and scores the match-winner on Friday and I’m left with egg on my face).

If Melbourne get early momentum I fear for Penrith in this one, but the longer Cleary’s men can stay in the game, the more confident I’ll feel about getting the chocolates.

Tip: Panthers by 2.

STORM

1 Dylan Edwards

10 James FIsher-Harris

1 Ryan Papenhuyzen

2 Josh Mansour

11 Viliame Kikau

2 Sulisai Vunivalu

11 Felise Kaufusi

3 Dean Whare

12 Liam Martin

3 Justin Olam

12 Kenneath Bromwich

4 Stephen Crichton

13 Isaah Yeo

4 Brenko Lee

13 Dale Finucane

5 Brian To’o

14 Matt Burton

5 Josh Addo-Carr

14 Brandon Smith

6 Jarome Luai

15 Zane Tetevano

6 Cameron Munster

15 Tino Faasuamaleaui

7 Nathan Cleary

16 Moses Leota

7 Ryley Jacks

16 Tom Eisenhuth

10 Christian Welch

8 James Tamou (c)

17 Billy Burns

8 Jesse Bromwich

17 Nelson Asofa-Solomona

9 Apisai Koroisau

18 Mitch Kenny 19 Brent Naden

9 Cameron Smith (c)

18 Max King 19 Marion Seve

25

Friday, June 19, 2020 « the western weekender • extra time

panther rumblings

WITH THE MASKED PANTHER

CAPEWELL DOWN AGAIN !

Poor old Kurt Capewell can’t take a trick at the moment. His Penrith debut was delayed due to an injury in the preseason and now the forward is facing at least 10 weeks on the sidelines with a knee problem. The 26-year-old will require surgery after suffering a grade three medial ligament injury early in the loss to Parramatta last Friday night.

!

The TV ratings for last Friday night’s Battle of the West were impressive for both Nine and Fox League. Nine’s average audience of 547,627 was five per cent up on Penrith’s 2019 free-to-air average. Fox League’s 297,977 average was up almost 28 per cent on Penrith’s 2019 figures.

!

Penrith is working towards having a crowd of around 5,500 for their clash with the Cowboys on Sunday, July 19. The Panthers only have one home game in July, and it’s anticipated crowd restrictions will be further loosened by the time a series of August blockbusters roll around. Meantime, a small number of fans will be allowed to attend Friday’s game against the Storm at Campbelltown Stadium, with a ballot held to select the lucky few.

!

Penrith, like a number of sporting clubs over the weekend, had to fend off a minority of losers on social media who criticised players for ‘taking a knee’ in support of Indigenous Australians following their game against the Eels. “Please feel free to unfollow,” Penrith wrote to one irate fan, who had threatened to pull his support of the club.

!

Cheeky: Former Panther Reagan Campbell-Gillard, whose performances towards the end of his time at the club left plenty to be desired, left a ‘crying laughter’ emoji on a story posted in the wake of last Friday’s Battle of the West, which pointed out that the Panthers were still paying some of the wages of Campbell-Gillard and Waqa Blake at the Eels.

“So they were paid by Penrith to beat them last night,” the story said.

!

The Panthers couldn’t get the

Kurt Capewell leaves Bankwest Stadium last Friday night.

Photo: NRL Images. chocolates for captain James Tamou’s 250th game last Friday, but it was still an emotional match for the big prop. Tamou’s jersey for the match was presented by former Penrith captain Peter Wallace after the captain’s run last Thursday, who gave a stirring tribute to the off-contract 31-year-old.

!

Happy birthday to Tyrone May, who turns 24 this weekend. The utility, who is currently sidelined due to suspension following off-field dramas, has plenty to prove when he finally returns to the NRL this year. Importantly, May is also

off-contract and while he’s expected to be retained by the club, it does spark further conversations about how the Panthers could keep May, Jarome Luai and Matt Burton without one of them starting to consider a future elsewhere.

!

The Panthers require 36 more tries this season to secure a little milestone – 4,000 tries since entering the senior competition in 1967.

!

The bubble is about to burst. At least that’s the rumour doing the rounds at the moment, with suggestions the NRL will

ease its rules surrounding player isolation and ‘dirty’ and ‘clean’ zones, which have protected the 50 players and staff inside the so-called ‘bubble’ at each club.

It’s worked reasonably well, except for a couple of media mishaps. Expect new rules to be in place from July, when it’s anticipated clubs will also return to their home bases. In-person media events may also be back soon.

!

Heard a rumour I should follow up on? Email maskedpanther@westernweekender.com.au. I don’t keep secrets, but I do protect my sources!

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TOUGH MARTIN PROMISES TO DIG IN NATHAN TAYLOR

W

ith experienced Panthers backrower Kurt Capewell sidelined for at least 10 weeks with a serious knee injury, young bull Liam Martin is determined to make the position his own.

The 23- year- old made his first appearance, since the NRL returned, last week, coming on for the injured Capewell in the opening minutes of the game.

Martin had been sidelined with his own leg problem for a number of weeks before returning against the Eels last Friday night.

“I tore my quad in one of the first weeks back from the break, so I was out for three or four weeks with that, but it’s all healed now,” he told Extra Time.

“I was a bit shocked coming on so early because I was told I’d get on at some point in the second half, so as soon as I saw Capey start limping I knew I was in for a long game.”

When Martin, who debuted with flying colours last season, hit the field in the second minute of the game he didn’t miss a beat. In his first taste of football since

Liam Martin in action against the Eels last Friday. Photo: NRL Images.

Round 2 against the Dragons, he recorded 126 running metres, two tackle breaks, one line break and made 37 tackles.

Martin said it was a tough initiation against one of the competition’s best sides

but he’s glad he got through it and is ready to go again this Friday against Melbourne.

“It was good to get back out there, it was a long lay-off,” he said.

“To also come back to the new game

format was a shock to the body but I think I adjusted pretty well.”

Penrith led for the majority of the match before Parramatta scored three tries in quick succession to steal victory late in the game.

Martin said a small lapse of concentration cost Penrith their undefeated start to the season.

“It was unfortunate we didn’t get the win. I thought we played pretty well, we just had a bit of a lapse there for a 10- minute period where they iced their opportunities,” he said.

“We were very good for periods there but then we had lapses in concentration where they came back.”

All week Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has been drumming into his side the importance of playing the full 80 minutes.

Martin said if they are going to take down the might of Melbourne tonight in Campbelltown, they’ll need to be locked in from whistle to whistle.

“Ivan said we have to be a harder team and once we get a lead we’ve got to keep the pressure on and finish the game strong,” Martin said.

“Ivan said he was proud of our effort the other night, we played well, but we have to play for the full 80 minutes.”

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, June 19, 2020

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Friday, June 19, 2020 « the western weekender • extra time

feature

YEO KEEN TO STOP RAMPANT STORM NATHAN TAYLOR

P

enrith has beaten Melbourne just twice since 2006, proving no other team in the competition ‘owns’ the Panthers more than the Storm do.

It’s hard to put your finger on why the head- to- head record is so lopsided, but perhaps it’s more to do with the calibre of Melbourne’s team over the years than a fear of their purple and navy jersey.

Tonight, Penrith will attempt to close the gap – even slightly – on Craig Bellamy’s side when they clash for the first time at Campbelltown Stadium.

While both sides are enjoying a strong start to the 2020 season, the Panthers are well aware of what Melbourne do on a regular basis… win.

“They’ve been such a strong side over the years and that won’t change this week,” Panthers lock Isaah Yeo said on Monday.

“Every time you come up against Melbourne you get an 80 - minute performance and you have to limit what Cameron Smith and Cameron Munster do, which will be part of our game plan.

“Coming up against Parramatta and

Isaah Yeo is enjoying a strong start to the season. Photo: Megan Dunn.

Melbourne – two of the best sides in the competition – in back-to-back weeks will give us a good opportunity to see where we are at. I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”

Penrith’s chance of remaining undefeated came to a crashing halt last week

when they blew a 10- point lead against competition leaders Parramatta at Bankwest Stadium.

The Panthers were the better side for most of the match, but they were unable to finish what they started against the Blue & Golds.

Yeo said while it was a disappointing way to lose, there were plenty of positives to take out of the match.

“I thought our first half was probably our best half of football all year,” he admitted.

“It was disappointing to have that five to 10-minute patch in the second half where they capitalised – they showed why they are one of the benchmark teams of the competition.

“I thought there were plenty of good things to take away from the game, as well as a few things to work on.”

What made the Eels’ comeback particularly hard for Penrith fans to endure was the fact former Panthers centre Waqa Blake was in the thick of the action – scoring a try and having a hand in another.

Yeo said his old teammate was huge in the dying stages, but there was no ‘rubbing salt into the wound’ from any of the four ex-Panthers post-match.

“I’ve played with those players before and I know how good they are. Waqa came up big in the key moments,” he said.

“There was no rubbing salt into the wound, they were all respectful in that sense. I spoke with Reagan [CampbellGillard] a little bit after the game because we’re still close, but he knows better than to rub it in.”

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Friday, June 19, 2020  the western weekender • extra time

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, June 19, 2020

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Friday, June 19, 2020 « the western weekender • extra time

nrl ladder & fixtures CLUB

PD

W

D

L

B

F

A

+/-

PTS

1

Eels

5

5

0

0

0

123

40

+83

10

2

Raiders

5

4

0

1

0

98

58

+40

8

3

Storm

5

4

0

1

0

84

56

+28

8

4

Knights

5

3

1

1

0

122

82

+40

7

5

Panthers

5

3

1

1

0

102

72

+30

7

6

Roosters

5

3

0

2

0

151

47

+104

6

7

Sea Eagles

5

3

0

2

0

81

69

+12

6

8

Cowboys

5

2

0

3

0

123

113

+10

4

9

W. Tigers

5

2

0

3

0

105

114

-9

4

10 Rabbitohs

5

2

0

3

0

92

102

-10

4

11

Warriors

5

2

0

3

0

61

92

-31

4

12 Broncos

5

2

0

3

0

74

152

-78

4

13 Sharks

5

1

0

4

0

86

108

-22

2

14 Dragons

5

1

0

4

0

74

112

-38

2

15 Bulldogs

5

1

0

4

0

52

108

-56

2

16 Titans

5

1

0

4

0

58

161

-103

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Thursday, June 18 7.50pm Central Coast Stadium

V

Friday, June 19 6.00pm Bankwest Stadium

V

Friday, June 19 7.55pm Campbelltown Stadium

V

Saturday, June 20 3.00pm Suncorp Stadium

V

Saturday, June 20 5.30pm Campbelltown Stadium

V

Saturday, June 20 7.35pm Bankwest Stadium

V

Sunday, June 21 4.05pm C Campbelltown Stadium

V

Sunday, June 21 6.30pm Bankwest Stadium

Face In Th e Crowd

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Extra Time Issue Number 2020-011

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PRODUCED BY The Western Weekender EDITOR Troy Dodds / 4722 2998 troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au WRITERS Nathan Taylor, Clinton Maynard, Warren Smith, Peter Lang SALES DIRECTOR Chris Pennisi / 4722 2998 chris.pennisi@westernweekender.com.au

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igh Str eet

lang on league

with Peter Lang Queensland scored a try to edge ahead on the scoreboard. They also kept Cowboys metre- eater Jason Taumalolo quiet, only allowing him to run for a grand total of 123 metres, well down on the 300-plus metres he achieved in his previous two games.

Tyrone not May... but WILL be back!

He hasn’t played a first grade premiership match since 2018 but Panthers utility Tyrone May is set to be offered a Panthers contract for 2021. There is strong support for Tyrone in the coaching ranks and first grade coach Ivan Cleary is keen to have the popular utility on board next season.

He impressed club officials with a strong showing in the trial against the Tigers earlier this year. While his dedication on the training paddock over the last 18 months has been second to none. He would have been in the mix for a spot in the first grade team this year had the NRL ban for his role in the sex tape scandal elapsed – it still had four games to run.

He also received a further two- game suspension, along with his housemate Nathan Cleary for being untruthful to the NRL Integrity Unit, after breaching social distancing laws on April 25. May just needs to keep putting in the hard work at training and not put another foot wrong – off the training paddock – and he will be rewarded with a contract extension.

What caught my eye last week...

The performance of the Warriors in their 37- 26 defeat of the Cowboys last Friday.

The boys from across the ditch showed plenty of courage and determination to keep hitting back every time North

Brought to you by…

What game I’m looking forward to...

The clash between the Premiers and the Eels this Saturday night. Parramatta are receiving plenty of attention for their impressive start in 2020 and are the only team undefeated after five rounds. They are the side who many good judges believe will take out the premiership this year. I’m not one of those ‘good judges’ but I could become a believer if they can knock over the Roosters this weekend.

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, June 19, 2020

Despite controversies, Tyrone May’s future at Penrith is secure

My tips for the week...

Knights, Rabbitohs, Panthers, Dragons, Tigers, Roosters, Raiders, Sharks.

Tyrone May is set to receive a new Panthers contract.

The final word...

The Storm continue to rule the roost when it comes to favourable refereeing decisions. While many thought the new ‘six again’ ruck rule would see Melbourne come undone when the competition restarted three weeks ago, they have shown that once again, they have the best referee in the comp IN their side to help them out. Take a bow Mr Smith!

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he Eels have been in this situation before against the Roosters, only to come up short, which makes this weekend’s showdown even bigger for the only undefeated team in the competition.

Last season, they were flying high after back- to- back wins to kick off their 2019 campaign, but knew the biggest test was facing the defending premiers in Round 3.

They lost that game 32- 18, though the final scoreline hides the fact that with 20 minutes to go, the Eels led the champs 18-14. Parra fans must have been thinking ‘here we go!’, only to watch the Roosters score three tries in the run to full-time to put the game to bed.

It’s a very similar story this time around – the Blue and Gold bandwagon is heaving with supporters, all thinking that this, after all these years, is the season in which they put the ghosts of the past 33 competitions well and truly behind them.

And why wouldn’t they?

The Eels effort to come from behind against the Panthers last weekend and keep the unbeaten record in tact showed that there’s a tonne of resolve in the current outfit. In fact, it’s just the sort of performance that the Roosters have produced while notching up consecutive titles, and eerily similar to what they did to Parramatta in Round 3 last year.

Dylan Brown is on fire for Parramatta. Photo: NRL Images.

Mitch Moses is finally playing the sort of football that has been predicted of him since he came into the NRL with the Wests Tigers and his halves partner Dylan Brown looks just like a teenage version of Moses himself.

Working off the back of a forward pack that has the sort of depth that can win titles – something they haven’t had in the past – Moses and Brown are as dangerous as any halves pairing in the competition.

Parramatta have everything in place, and while you can do no more than what they’ve done so far, they’ll know that it will count for little should they be unable to go set- for- set with the Roosters on Saturday.

If the Eels’ belief is as strong as it looks at the moment, they’ll explode with confidence if they can prove to everybody, but most importantly themselves, that they have what it takes to beat the team that has been red-hot since the NRL resumed three weeks ago.

They’ll have an extra three days’ rest for this game compared to the Roosters who had to play a delayed game against the Bulldogs on Monday night, and if the game is in the balance with 20 minutes to go just as it was last year, it just might be the Eels who finish off the job to announce themselves as genuine title contenders in 2020.

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Friday, June 19, 2020 « the western weekender • extra time

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Eels have chance to announce premiership credentials

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few weeks ago I wrote that with the resumption of the season after the COVID- 19 break, fans of all teams had hope (except for the Titans), their side could make the Finals and even win a premiership. Three rounds later I think it’s become very clear fans of at least five teams, maybe more, can start thinking about 2021.

That might seem harsh however because of the shortened nature of the season, it’s only 20 rounds, not 25 or 26 as in the past, teams can’t afford slow starts.

The long lay off and the failure of some teams to adapt to the ‘six again’ rule, has seen a huge gulf emerge between the top teams and the ones at the bottom. At the top of the ladder I think we are looking at an even competition. Parramatta lead the comp, the Roosters, Penrith, Canberra, Manly, Souths, Knights and as always the Storm, will all have claims. However this year more than any other season in recent years, the group of seven to eight top teams, is so far ahead of a big group of bottom teams it’s not funny. We almost have a competition split in half.

Fans of the Dragons, Sharks, Bulldogs, Warriors, Titans and probably the Broncos and Cowboys can start thinking about next year.

The Warriors, despite their win over the Cowboys, are fighting with one hand

behind their back, forced to play all their games away from home and not just away from home, but in another country.

They’ve always been inconsistent and this won’t help them.

The Bulldogs try hard but their list probably isn’t much better than some Canterbury Cup teams.

Despite the Dragons winning last weekend, the coach probably won’t see out the season. Their last start opponents, the Sharks, have become the worst roster managers in the NRL. Each of their top paid players other than Wade Graham, is either carrying long- term injury or is performing like a shadow of their former selves.

The Titans are the Titans and the kindest description is, they are rebuilding. No team beaten by 59 points in the regular season has ever won the competition, so that rules the Broncos out and the Cowboys have been beaten by the Sharks and the Warriors so that rules them out.

I can’t remember a year when seven teams are finished by end of round five, however round five also represents a quarter of this shortened competition.

The question is whether those coaches will use the rest of 2020 to start building for season 2021 and make gutsy calls like dropping high paid players, who don’t seem to be cutting it anymore.

Wade Graham is still performing well for Cronulla. Photo: NRL Images.

extra minutes

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, June 19, 2020

Five teams can start thinking about next year

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Sad news this week with one of the toughest players to have ever laced on a boot, Noel Kelly, passing away at the age of 84. Kelly played 28 Tests for the Kangaroos and played in three Grand Finals for Western Suburbs. In all he played 111 games for the Magpies and was named captain-coach in 1966.

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The NRL is forging ahead with this weekend’s Beanie for Brain Cancer Round despite fans still being locked out of stadiums. It’s hoped fans will still open their wallets and purchase a beanie this year. They’re on sale from Lowes, selected IGA stores and the Mark Hughes Foundation website.

Winston Churchill said when addressing the troops before sending them off to war: “Gentlemen, just because you are going to kill a man, you do not have to be disrespectful.”

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Still on Brisbane and they’ve received a much-needed boost of experience with veteran hooker Issac Luke joining the club from St George-Illlawarra. Luke asked the Dragons for a release and will find a spot in the Broncos’ first grade team following an injury to Jake Turpin and Andrew McCullough’s departure to Newcastle.

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The NRL handled the postponement of Sunday’s Bulldogs v Roosters clash with absolute professionalism.

Just think about the flow-on impact –

This should apply to our beautiful game too.

Let’s keep the positivity going team.

Issac Luke is joining the Broncos. broadcasters, stadium staff, catering, security... the list goes on. Everyone took it in their stride. Well done to Bulldogs CEO Andrew Hill, too, who got straight on the front foot and made himself available to every TV and radio station who wanted him on Sunday and Monday.

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Bad news for the Cowboys with Valentine Holmes (ankle) and Jordan McLean (calf) to miss Saturday’s clash with the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium.

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Former Broncos forward Peter Ryan has been welcomed back to the club as a Skills Coach for the remainder of the 2020 season. Ryan, a multiple Premiership winner in 147 games with the Broncos, will work with all players across the NRL squad.

Always happy to chat Phil Haley 0412 355 020

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Friday, June 19, 2020 « the western weekender