Extra Time June 4 2021

Photo: NRL Photos

BLUES BROTHERS FREDDY TURNS TO PANTHERS TO WIN BACK ORIGIN TROPHY – FULL ORIGIN COVERAGE INSIDE – PANTHERS V TIGERS

MASKED PANTHER

EXTRA MINUTES

Can the under-strength Panthers make it 13 wins in a row on Friday night?

Baby news for a Panthers forward, and is Brent Naden headed to Canterbury early?

We take a look across rugby league and bring you the latest NRL news and information

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Friday, June 4, 2021 « the western weekender • extra time

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DINE WITH DANIEL TRADITIONAL R OAST LAMB S TS NT EN DIIE ED RE INGR t trimmed • 2kg leg of lamb, fa • 1/4 cup olive oil ped fresh • 1 tablespoon chop rosemary leaves hed • 2 garlic cloves, crus

• 1.5kg chat potatoes BASIC GRAVY CUPS) (MAKES 2 TO 2 1/2 style stock • 2 cups Massel beef • 3/4 cup red wine plain flour • 2 1/2 tablespoons k • 1:40 Coo p e r P 0 :2 •0 oks apable co C • 8 s METHOD e k • Ma Step 1 Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan-forced. Combine oil, rosemary and garlic in a bowl. Rub half the oil mixture over lamb. Season with salt and pepper. Roast for 15 minutes.

Step 2 Reduce oven temperature to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Roast lamb, basting with remaining oil mixture every 20 minutes, for 1 hour 15 minutes for medium or until cooked to your liking. Add potatoes to pan for last 40 minutes, turning halfway through cooking.

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, June 4, 2021

match preview

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Stephen Crichton celebrates a try last week. Photo: Megan Dunn.

TROY DODDS

T

he Penrith Panthers head to Leichhardt Oval on Friday night and face perhaps their biggest challenge of the season so far, lining up without a host of big-name players thanks to Origin duty and suspension.

Brian To’o, Jarome Luai, Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Api Koroisau, Kurt Capewell and Moses Leota are all missing from a Penrith side that has trampled allcomers so far this season.

The result is a very different looking 17 from the one we’re all used to, but Ivan Cleary certainly won’t be complaining – his side will only benefit from the Origin experience in the long-run, while those earning a start in first grade this weekend get an opportunity to prove themselves and have the responsibility of keeping this longrunning winning streak alive.

It will be the experienced players left

FRIDAY, JUNE 4 | 7.55PM | LEICHHARDT OVAL | REFEREE: GRANT ATKINS in Penrith’s team that will need to lift to another level this weekend – namely the likes of a returning Dylan Edwards along with new skipper James Fisher-Harris, Viliame Kikau and Stephen Crichton.

Penrith’s new-look halves pairing of Matt Burton and Tyrone May has had plenty of first grade experience this year, while Mitch Kenny has filled in admirably when Koroisau has been missing.

In short this Penrith team still offers plenty against a Tigers side that is largely unaffected by Origin, save for Joe Ofahengaue who has been named for the Maroons.

The Tigers come into this game having won two of their last three matches, finally starting to find some of the rhythm that coach Michael Maguire has been looking for. Their performance against the Dragons last weekend was classic Maguire footy – tough, gritty and resilient. Maybe the

players are finally getting the message. The Tigers would feel this is their best shot at beating the Panthers given the player drain the representative period offers, but Penrith still have plenty on show – and it’s perhaps no surprise they’ve maintained favouritism with the bookies.

When you can still put out a forward pack with the likes of Fisher-Harris, Kikau and Spencer Leniu, you’re doing just fine.

The Panthers will miss the game management of Cleary, the metres of To’o and the hard yakka of Yeo, but there’s something to be said for the ‘one in, all in’ system at Penrith and those filling the gaps this weekend will be far from disgraced.

All of that said, those bottom-placed Bulldogs certainly gave the star-studded Panthers a run for their money last weekend. While it never felt like Penrith would lose, Trent Barrett’s side turned up with an

PANTHERS

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old-fashioned mentality – run hard and hit hard, and it paid dividends until a moment of madness from Dallin Watene-Zelezniak on the stroke of half-time gave Penrith the ascendancy they’d been searching for.

Maguire’s sides generally play with a similar style, so you can expect the Tigers to really muscle up on Friday night. Expect some big hits and huge runs from the forwards, while Luke Brooks’ kicking game will be key to keeping Penrith contained to their half of the field.

What the Bulldogs tried to do last Saturday the Tigers may just have the firepower to pull off on Friday night.

Still, this Panthers outfit is proving impossible to stop at the moment, and while this will be a harder fought victory than most, I think Ivan Cleary’s men can rise above adversity and get the two points.

Tip: Panthers by 6.

TIGERS

1 Dylan Edwards

10 James Fisher-Harris (c)

1 Daine Laurie

2 Charlie Staines

11 Viliame Kikau

2 David Nofoaluma

10 Alex Twal 11 Luke Garner

3 Stephen Crichton

12 Scott Sorensen

3 Adam Doueihi

12 Luciano Leilua

4 Paul Momirovski

13 Matthew Eisenhuth

4 Tommy Talau

13 Alex Seyfarth

5 Robert Jennings

14 Jaeman Salmon

5 James Roberts

14 Stefano Utoikamanu

6 Matt Burton

15 J’Maine Hopgood

6 Moses Mbye

15 Shawn Blore

7 Tyrone May

16 Lindsay Smith

7 Luke Brooks

16 Tom Amone

8 Spencer Leniu

17 Izack Tago

8 James Tamou (c)

17 Thomas Mikaele

9 Mitch Kenny

18 Brent Naden 19 Eddie Blacker

9 Jacob Liddle

18 Michael Chee Kam 19 Jake Simpkin

31

Friday, June 4, 2021 « the western weekender • extra time

panther rumblings

WITH THE MASKED PANTHER

PANTHER PRIDE ON SHOW !

Congratulations to Penrith Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo, who announced last weekend that he and his partner Ash are expecting their first child. The little one is due in November. Yeo announced the news on Instagram, just hours before being picked in the NSW team for Origin I – making it a very special weekend.

MP Stuart Ayres.

!

Most accept that Brent Naden’s days at the Panthers are numbered, but there’s speculation doing the rounds that his time at the club may be over quicker than expected. Naden is due to join the Bulldogs next season but may end up being released to Trent Barrett’s side early in a mid-season switch.

!

Liam Martin had a roller-coaster day on Sunday ahead of his selection in the Blues team for Origin I. He’d taken a call from Penrith coach Ivan Cleary during the day, who wanted to ensure his chin remained up given it appeared he’d missed selection. A few hours later Martin got the call to rush to Coogee and come into the New South Wales camp, with an injury to Newcastle’s Tyson Frizzel opening the door for the country kid to make his Origin debut.

!

The Panthers have confirmed that Thomas Jenkins has signed a two-year contract extension with the club. The new deal will see the 20-year-old outside back join the Panthers NRL development list in 2022 and the club’s top 30 roster in 2023.

“I’m so excited to stay at Panthers for the next couple of years and hopefully more years after that,” Jenkins said. “Penrith is home for me now and I love everything about the club and the people here. I’m keen to keep developing as a player and a person and I believe Panthers is the best place to do it.” Hailing from Boorowa in the Hilltops Region of southern NSW, Jenkins first made the move to Panthers ahead of the 2020 season. However the cancellation of the state representative competitions due to COVID-19 saw him return home to play Group 9 First Grade for his junior club Young Cherrypickers.

! State Penrith MP Stuart Ayres rolled up his sleeve to get his COVID-19 vaccination last week. And what was he wearing? A classic Penrith Panthers jersey, of course! !

It’s time for someone to get out a

ladder at Panthers Leagues Club. The very impressive Honour Board that adorns the reception area hasn’t been updated in a few years and is out of date. It’s still got Anthony Griffin as Penrith’s Head Coach!

! Moses Leota was sin-binned for the second time this season last weekend against Canterbury. His Grade 2 Careless High Tackle will cost him a week on the sideline, with the 25-year-old submitting an early guilty plea. It comes at the worst possible time for Penrith, with Leota to sit out Friday night’s game against the Tigers – adding to Ivan Cleary’s long list of unavailable players. ! Spotted: Roosters legend Craig Wing with former Panthers player and powerbroker Lou Zivanovic at the New South Wales True Blue Dinner in Sydney on Monday night.

! Heard a rumour? Spotted a Panther out and about? I don’t keep secrets but I do protect my sources. Contact me at maskedpanther@westernweekender.com.au.

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BLUES TURN TO UNBEATEN PANTHERS NATHAN TAYLOR

B

rian To’o was in church, Jarome Luai wasn’t feeling 100 per cent, and Liam Martin didn’t believe it was Blues coach Brad Fittler on the line – these are the incredible stories of Penrith’s latest Origin heroes.

Last Sunday, six Panthers players were rewarded for their team’s incredible start to the season by being named in the New South Wales squad for next week’s State of Origin series opener in Townsville.

Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, Brian To’o, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo were all selected in Fittler’s top 17 for Origin I, while hooker Api Koroisau will serve as 18th man.

Speaking on ‘NRL 360’ on Monday night, Fittler recalled the moment he phoned each Panther to let them know the life changing news.

“I rang Brian To’o, and he was in church.

I rang Jarome, and he was coughing and spluttering saying he’s been crook. Isaah Yeo was at a baby shop, he’s about to have a baby soon. And Liam Martin was fantastic… I rang him later on [after Tyson Frizell was ruled out with injury] and he didn’t believe it was actually me – it took a while to convince him that it was,” Fittler said.

Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin at Blues training this week. Photo: NRL Photos.

For powerhouse winger Brian To’o, his maiden Origin selection was more than well deserved following an outstanding first half of the season with the Panthers.

The 22-year-old from Mt Druitt said he was in church listening to his pastor preach when his phone rang

“I got the call when I was in church but it didn’t have his (Fittler’s) name on it, I thought it might’ve been Uber Eats or something,” To’o told Fox Sports.

“I quickly ran outside to answer and said ‘hello’. The caller said ‘hi Brian, it’s Freddy… congrats mate, you’re playing Blues’.

ES T. 19 88 FA M ILY BU SI NE SS

“I was like ‘oh shucks’… I was stoked, I couldn’t even speak English, I was stuttering heaps.”

Despite reports to the contrary, Luai beat out Canberra’s Jack Wighton to the number six jersey, ensuring the Penrith halves pairing of Luai and Cleary would be replicated at State level.

Speaking with Panthers Media, 24-yearold Luai said getting the opportunity to make his Blues debut “means so much” to him and his family.

“Ever since I was young I used to watch Origin games with my Dad all the time; have those pizza nights with the family and never imagined I’d get to play in that arena,” he said.

“I think that’s why I was so emotional when I gave Mum and Dad the news. They can’t wait just as much as I can’t. Hopefully I’ll get out there and do everyone proud.”

The last time Penrith had five Blues representatives was way back in 1989 when Greg Alexander, John Cartwright, Mark Geyer, Chris Mortimer and Peter Kelly represented their state. Should Koroisau get on the field next Wednesday night, it will mark record representation by Penrith for the Blues.

Panthers backrower and 2020 Queensland Origin hero Kurt Capewell was once again named for the Maroons.

Origin I kicks off next Wednesday night.

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, June 4, 2021

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Friday, June 4, 2021 « the western weekender • extra time

Brought to you by

Sattler’s story hits home as concussion debate rages on

matt russell I

t didn’t take a try-saving tackle in the 54th minute of the 2003 Grand Final to make John Sattler proud of his son Scott.

The Premiership-winning South Sydney forward no doubt had long choked back his emotions watching his boy become a man, a first grader, a friend, husband, father, Grand Final winner and much, much more.

John would be proud of his son again this week, if only he was in the condition to comprehend Scott’s articulate honesty, passion and bravery.

Of all the comments regarding the NRL crackdown on high contact, few have been more compelling than Scott Sattler’s.

Speaking with Gary Belcher on their SEN ‘Sportsday’ program, Scott Sattler had his emotion bubble over as he revealed his father’s dementia demise.

He remembered John speaking so clearly and passionately during South Sydney rallies for a return to the NRL. Then there was the Grand Final function in 2014 when he led a room of 400 to sing the South Sydney song.

Now John struggles to recognise his grandchildren. Scott misses the hours effortlessly talking rugby league with his dad. Life had never beaten John Sattler in any way, until this. Each day, dastardly, despicable, dementia takes another little

Scott Sattler was a champion footballer, and so was his father John. Photo: NRL Photos.

bit of the hero that is John Sattler.

So, Scott invited anyone who criticises the NRL crackdown on high contact to come and see his dad.

It came at the same time as Steve Mortimer was detailing similar issues, though thankfully not as significant yet.

So many of us in the game know of many others who aren’t quite as they were or should be.

There is no categoric proof yet that the game did this. But there is no proof it didn’t either. That’s a bit like saying, 70 per cent of concussions are inflicted on defending players, so let’s not try to reduce the 30 per cent that happen from illegal contact to the ball carriers.

The game is reading the room and taking the only action it can to survive long-term.

As Scott Sattler reminds us, let’s err on the side of caution. Let’s realise the game can still be physical, tough and attractive without the current level of contact with the head or neck. It will still happen. But it can’t happen as it has.

Yes, the implementation has been sudden. Yes, it’s been a little clumsy. Yes, there will be inconsistency. But it has to happen.

Players play. Names like V’Landys, Abdo, Annesley govern.

People like John and Scott Sattler should make sure of that.

34

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EDWARDS HAS FAITH IN DEBUTANTS NATHAN TAYLOR

A

bunch of fresh new faces will adorn a patched-up Panthers line-up this Friday night, including two debutants who can’t wipe the smiles off their faces.

St Marys juniors Lindsay Smith and Izack Tago will make their NRL debuts against the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval tonight as the competition leaders aim to keep their unbeaten run alive.

The duo, who have been impressing in NSW Cup all season, will finally get their chance in first grade this week after seven of their teammates were chosen for State of Origin duty next Wednesday.

Fullback Dylan Edwards, who is also returning from a minor hamstring injury, said Smith and Tago have been beaming from ear to ear since being named.

“They both haven’t stopped smiling all week,” he told Extra Time.

“It’s good energy to have around the place especially when people are debuting.”

Both players have been in the Panthers system for many years, with Smith playing plenty of representative football as a teenager while Tago has lit up the NSW Cup competition this season.

“Lindsay is a hardworking middle forward and he’ll do a great job for us. He works hard and he works hard for the team,” Edwards said.

“Izack Tago plays a bit of backrow/centre and he’s been really, really good for the NSW Cup side. He’s a damaging ball runner and his defence is really good too. He talks a lot and works hard, and I’m looking forward to both guys getting out there.”

Despite being seriously short on troops due to Origin selection and a suspended Moses Leota, the Panthers go into tonight’s match-up as favourites against a Wests Tigers side that’s slowly finding some form.

Penrith will unleash a new halves pairing in Matt Burton and Tyrone May against the Tigers, with Edwards quietly confident that everyone should know their role.

“T-May is a quality player and has a super footy brain, and Burto’s played six. As far as their combination goes, we’ll see, but in terms of their footy knowledge and the way they know how the team runs, it’s second to none, really,” he said.

“We train a lot together and everyone buys into the systems we have in place here – it’s just the ‘next man up’ attitude we have going. Anyone that’s come in so far to date has done a really good job for us and I expect nothing less from the boys that’ll come in on Friday.”

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, June 4, 2021

feature

Dylan Edwards will return from injury against Wests. Photo: NRL Photos.

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ENJOYING A BIG WIN IN STYLE! Guests of The Western Weekender had a great time in the Chairman’s Lounge at BlueBet Stadium last Saturday afternoon. Megan Dunn captured some of the fun...

35

Friday, June 4, 2021 « the western weekender • extra time

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Go the Blues, and make sure you support these great local businesses!

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, June 4, 2021

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37

Friday, June 4, 2021 « the western weekender • extra time

My mid-season Panthers report card

lang on league

with Peter Lang

W

ith 12 wins from 12 games this report card is obviously going to be extremely favourable, but the Panthers’ biggest test is about to come over the third quarter of this season as Origin threatens to decimate the team which is on top of the ladder.

OVERALL GRADE: A+ What caught my eye last week: The return of Dragons star Jack De Belin in reserve grade after nearly 1000 days away from the paddock. So desperate are the Dragons due to injury and suspension that they have named De Belin on the interchange bench after such a long layoff.

Attack: The Panthers continued their scoring frenzy over the last six weeks of the season scoring 234 points and currently sit second highest in attack just behind Melbourne. Penrith actually upped their scoring tally from 160 in the first quarter.

Insane numbers. GRADE: A+

What game I’m looking forward to: Believe it or not, the Knights taking on the Eels has plenty of promise for the average punter. Newcastle bounced back with a strong win over the ‘in-form’ Sea Eagles, while Parramatta got pummelled by the Rabbitohs. The Eels need to win this one to show that they’re not mid-season faders again.

Defence: During the first quarter Penrith gave up 38 points, this quarter they only gave up slightly more at 50 points. Whatever way you look at it, it’s still bloody good.

GRADE: A Player performances: The seven Origin players picked for game one are obviously the standouts but there are plenty more in the support cast having career best seasons.

Mitch Kenny has been brilliant every time he has been asked to fill in for Api while Charlie Staines continues to improve on the wing. GRADE: A Coaching: Head coach Ivan Cleary and his assistants Cameron Ciraldo and Andrew Webster have continued to keep their team

My tips: Dragons, Panthers, Titans, Eels.

Nathan Cleary has been a key part of Penrith’s attacking success this season.

humming over the last six weeks so it’s hard to fault anything they’ve done. The big challenge is how they manage their star-studded roster through three brutal State of Origin

games, although the one bye in round 17 will help. Whether they rest any players or not will also be a big decision coach Cleary will have to make. GRADE: A+

The final word: This crackdown on headhigh tackles is just getting more confusing each week. There were several tackles on the weekend which would have been an automatic send-off during the crackdown in Magic Round. Bulldogs forward Jack Hetherington clearly made contact with two tackles in back-to-back sets and was allowed to stay on the field and that’s just one example. I applaud the return to some sanity on judging head-high shots but we’re a long way from achieving consistency.

joel caine

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ith the announcement of the New South Wales Origin squad, it got me thinking about representative sport and those picked to play for their country, state, region … whatever it may be.

In particular, my mind was taken back to a book called Outliers, written by Canadian author Malcolm Gladwell.

Gladwell’s book delves into what makes people successful, and one area he explores in sport is relative age theory.

In short, Gladwell assessed Canadian representative hockey teams and found that players born in early months of the year are overrepresented in those sides.

Most sports have a cut off of January 1 for their age groups, so a kid born on the first day of the year and last day are typically grouped into the same bracket.

Obviously, one full year – particularly for kids – can be a huge advantage, both in terms of maturity and physicality.

Taking it back to the NSW side, I found that in the 17 named, 10 were born in the first six months, and five of those were born in January or February.

Only 16 per cent of people are born in the first two months, but they make up 30 per cent of the Blues side, and it rings true throughout representative sport.

It makes sense too, imagine being a 12-year-old and missing out on representative selection because you’re a bit

smaller than another kid who could be some 11 months older, that in itself could mean you slip through the cracks, or turn away from the sport.

So that got me thinking, what if, no matter the sport, every four years, that entry date is shifted back six months.

That gives every kid a chance to shine in the older half of the competition at some stage.

An example of this is my son, he loves rugby league, but being born in late December means he’s often far closer to the kids in the below age group.

While it doesn’t worry him, it makes you wonder if he’d look at the sport differently if he was born just a fortnight later.

Equally, I have a daughter born in February at the other end of the scale, and she often plays sport with girls who are well younger than her.

Penrith is represented in Parliament by local boy Stuart Ayres, as a sport tragic and Panthers fan, surely he sees this as an idea that should be explored.

This wouldn’t just help kids stand out at grassroots level, but it could genuinely help us identify future first-graders and pro athletes that may have otherwise slipped through the cracks.

It’s surely an idea worth some further investigation.

Listen to Joel Caine on Sydney’s SEN 1170AM.

CLUB

PD

W

D

L

B

F

A

1

Panthers

12

12

0

0

0

394

88

+306 24

2

Storm

12 10

0

2

0

410

148

+262 20

3

Eels

12

9

0

3

0

320

208

+112

18

4

Rabbitohs

12

9

0

3

0

317

272

+45

18

5

Roosters

12

8

0

4

0

344

197

+147 16

6

Sea Eagles

12

6

0

6

0

265

264

+1

12

7

Cowboys

12

6

0

6

0

246

333

-87

12

8

Dragons

12

5

0

7

0

241

260

-19

10

9

Warriors

12

5

0

7

0

265

305

-40

10

10 Titans

12

5

0

7

0

270

325

-55

10

11

12

5

0

7

0

217

302

-85

10

12 Sharks

12

4

0

8

0

233

280

-47

8

13 W. Tigers

12

4

0

8

0

254

328

-74

8

14 Raiders

12

4

0

8

0

219

305

-86

8

15 Broncos

12

3

0

9

0

192

346

-154

6

Knights

+/-

PTS

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ROUND 13 V

Thursday, June 3 7.50pm Kogarah Oval

V

Friday, June 4 7.55pm Leichhardt Oval

V

Saturday June 5 7.35pm Sunshine Coast Stadium

V

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Extra Time Issue Number 2020-013 PRODUCED BY The Western Weekender EDITOR Troy Dodds / 4722 2998 troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au CONTRIBUTORS Nathan Taylor, Peter Lang, Matt Russell, Joel Caine

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Friday, June 4, 2021 « the western weekender • extra time

Round 1ϰ 19 June 7:25pm vs

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! State of Origin I next Wednesday is shifting to Townsville’s QLD Country Bank Stadium due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Melbourne. “We’re operating in a pandemic and our absolute priority is ensuring the continuity of the competition and our Major Events,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said on Monday. “Townsville has the lowest risk of a COVID outbreak impacting the game and the least financial fallout of the available venues.

Townsville is also a new, state of the art venue, with the capabilities to host an event with a global audience like Origin, placing it ahead of alternate regional locations.”

congratulate Mitch on his new deal which is exciting news for everyone at the Club, in particular our members and fans,” said Eels General Manager of Football, Mark O’Neill.

! The State Funeral for rugby league Immortal Bob Fulton will be held on Friday, June 4 at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney at 10.30am. The family accepted the NSW Government’s offer of a State Funeral, following the death of the sports player, coach, selector and commentator at the age of 74. The State Funeral will be live streamed at nsw.gov.au/stateservices.

! Rugby league legend Steve Mortimer

! Wests Tigers have announced that hooker Jacob Liddle has signed a contract extension with the club. The two-year deal will see Liddle remain in Wests Tigers colours until at least the end of the 2023 NRL season. “I’m really excited to be able to stay on with the club,” Liddle enthused. has revealed he’s suffering from dementia. He believes the diagnosis is linked to the hits he took as a tough league player in the 1970s and 1980s. “I do have part of my brain that has died from playing the game of rugby league,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

! Canberra’s Corey Horsburgh will be out for up to two months after suffering a dislocated wrist in the Raiders’ round 12 loss to the Roosters.

!

Jake Clifford has officially been released by North Queensland and has signed with Newcastle.

! Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses has re-signed with the club until at least the end of the 2024 season. It ends months of speculation, which at one stage saw Moses strongly linked with the Brisbane Broncos. “I would like to

! Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has dropped winger Blake Ferguson as he tries to arrest a mid-season form slump. ! All three NRL stations suffered a radio ratings dip in the latest survey.

NSW capain James Tedesco.

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! QLD squad for Origin I: Kalyn Ponga (since ruled out), Xavier Coates, Kurt Capewell, Dane Gagai, Valentine Holmes, Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans (c), Christian Welch, Harry Grant, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Felise Kaufusi, David Fifita, Jai Arrow, AJ Brimson, Jaydn Su’A, Moeaki Fotuaika, Joe Ofahengaue, Kyle Feldt, Reed Mahoney, Coen Hess.

! The NRL has confirmed the match officials for the opening State of Origin match. Gerard Sutton has been nominated by the Referees Appointments Committee to take charge of the match, with Todd Smith and Phil Henderson appointed as touch judges. Ashley Klein will be the NRL Bunker official. “Gerard refereed the NRL Grand Final and all three State of Origins in 2020 and deserves the opportunity to take charge of the first match of the Origin series in 2021,” NRL General Manager – Elite Officiating Jared Maxwell said.

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! NSW squad for Origin I: James Tedesco (c), Brian To’o, Latrell Mitchell, Tom Trbojevic, Josh Addo-Carr, Jarome Luai, Nathan Cleary, Daniel Saifiti, Damien Cook, Jake Trbojevic, Cameron Murray, Tariq Sims, Isaah Yeo, Jack Wighton, Junior Paulo, Payne Haas, Liam Martin, Api Koroisau, Campbell Graham.

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, June 4, 2021

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Friday, June 4, 2021 « the western weekender