Extra Time May 24

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LOW AS IT GETS SEARCH FOR ANSWERS AS HORROR SHOW CONTINUES MASKED PANTHER > P32 Sauce and RCG grab a bite, Penrith’s Indigenous jersey and plenty more!

LIFE OF BRIAN > P34 Brian To’o reflects on his NRL debut last weekend

CELEBRITY TIPSTERS > P36-37 Need some help deciding who to back this weekend?

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Friday, May 24, 2019 « the western weekender

THE FINAL WORD

v

THURSDAY, MAY 23 • 7.50PM | WESTERN SYDNEY STADIUM | REFS: GRANT ATKINS, DAVID MUNRO

PANTHERS 1

Dylan Edwards

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Josh Mansour Dean Whare Waqa Blake Brian To’o Jarome Luai Nathan Cleary James Tamou (c) Sione Katoa Reagan Campbell-Gillard Viliame Kikau Frank Winterstein James Fisher-Harris Liam Martin Tyrell Fuimaono Tim Grant Moses Leota Mitch Kenny 19 Hame Sele

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, May 24, 2019

MATCH PREVIEW

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EELS

CHANNEL 9 FOX LEAGUE

Penrith aim up in defence against the Warriors. Photo: Megan Dunn

TROY

DODDS Like most long-time Penrith supporters, I’ve sat through some pretty dour and disappointing years at Panthers Stadium.

The premiership hangovers, the wooden spoon seasons, the years where nothing went right – they were all hard to take.

And while there’s certainly been worse seasons, 2019 is emerging as one that is increasingly becoming harder and harder to stomach.

Penrith’s current position on the ladder reflects a sad reality – there’s 15 other clubs trying harder.

Some of those clubs, like the Bulldogs, don’t have the roster to compete for Finals football but are still turning up for each other and their fans every week. Others, like Manly and Newcastle, are defying the

predictions of many and currently sit in the top eight.

The Panthers, meanwhile, are the NRL’s biggest disappointment. Coach Ivan Cleary simply isn’t getting anything out of his players, and the team is spluttering towards one of their worst seasons in more than a decade.

Cleary knows he has a problem to fix but where to start is the biggest issue.

In attack, Penrith look like a bad reserve grade side full of part- time footballers, unable to execute any decent play than an opposition would find hard to stop. The team has scored just 127 points in total this season – an epic disgrace that should have the current halves combination hanging their heads in shame, given how much time they spend in the opposition 20.

In defence, the side has conceded 240 points this season (more than any other side in the competition) and at times just

TRIPLE M ABC 702 seems lazy – as the Issac Luke try to the Warriors in the first half last week showed.

James Maloney is becoming more and more of a liability, missing nine tackles last weekend while those around him over-compensate to try to plug the hole.

A suspension to Maloney will see Jarome Luai get his shot at five-eighth against the Eels and it’ll be interesting to watch how that unfolds given he could be handed the jumper permanently sooner rather than later.

Perhaps the biggest concern at the moment is that Ivan Cleary doesn’t appear to have the answers, and if he does, he’s certainly not willing to share them with the fans or partners.

While his disappointment with where the side is at was obvious in his press conference following the clash with the Warriors last Friday night, he appears to be like a deer in the headlights – unsure

1

Clint Gutherson (c)

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

Maika Sivo Josh Hoffman Blake Ferguson George Jennings Will Smith Mitchell Moses Junior Paulo Reed Mahoney Tim Mannah Shaun Lane Marata Niukore Manu Ma’u Peni Terepo Daniel Alvaro Brad Takairangi David Gower

what to do next given the changes he’s implemented so far this season have failed to garner results.

To make matters worse, Dallin WateneZelezniak is out of the side this week.

The Panthers make their first ever trip to Western Sydney Stadium and they face an Eels side desperate to get back into the winner’s circle after two straight losses, including a thumping at the hands of Melbourne and a narrow defeat to North Queensland in Townsville last weekend.

Usually, this ‘battle of the west’ would have everyone talking, but with Parramatta’s recent form, Penrith’s awful start to the year and a difficult Thursday night timeslot, this match will most likely slip under most people’s radar.

I simply can’t tip Penrith at the moment.

They’ve done nothing over the past month to suggest they’re improving.

Tip: Eels by 10.

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Friday, May 24, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

PANTHER RUMBLINGS

with the Masked Panther

DWZ GONE?  With speculation mounting, Penrith

had no choice but to confirm late on Wednesday that the club had granted Dallin Watene-Zelezniak permission to speak to other clubs. It essentially means that the 23-year-old’s Penrith career is over. A formal release request is imminent.

Tyrell Fuimaono models the new Indigenous Jersey New South Wales was so critical. One thing that does hit you about the stadium is that the main home and away team dressing rooms are almost identical, which makes a trip to the stadium as an away team a little easier to deal with versus your traditional suburban ground.

The only difference in the home team dressing room is the inclusion of recovery baths, which do not exist in the away rooms.

 Penrith fans can now get their hands

on the club’s limited edition Indigenous jersey. This year’s jersey is an artistic tribute to the Darug Nation and the club’s Indigenous players past and present.

The design of the jersey is based on an artwork by Panthers Indigenous Welfare Officer Glen Liddiard. The art incorporates the Panthers colours and depicts the geography and people of the Darug Nation – the home of the Panthers community today. The jersey also features totems of the Wiradjuri, Guriwal and Biripi people, representing the club’s proud legacy of Indigenous players. The jersey can be purchased now from the Panthers Shop.

 Spotted: Dumped first graders Josh

Mansour and Reagan Campbell-Gillard enjoying a steak dinner at Osso at Panthers Leagues Club in the hour prior to Penrith’s NRL clash with the Warriors last Friday night. The duo eventually made it over to Panthers Stadium to watch their teammates in action.

 Nathan Cleary has plenty on his plate at the moment as he deals with the pressure of being the highest paid player in a team that’s simply not performing. That’s why it’s great he’s managed to set up his home life to be an escape from football. The 21-year-old is now living with a couple of tradies as housemates, who are keeping him grounded and allowing him to step away from the NRL bubble for at least a few hours each day.

 With poor form comes more rumours,

and the Panthers are certainly dealing with their fair share at the moment. Daily Telegraph journalist Paul Kent this week suggested there was a split in the Penrith camp with plenty of unhappiness. “The Panthers are quite likely to say that’s all rubbish,” Kent said. “But the thing is when you’re two wins from 10 games these kind of things happen.” It could also be a case of where there’s smoke, there’s fire. The rumours are coming in thick and fast that there’s a morale issue in the camp and a potential split down the playing group stemming from the sex tape scandal earlier this year.

 Tyrone May may have massive clouds

hanging over his career but he’s still in good spirits. On Monday, he was the chief prankster at Panthers training – playfully interrupting a photo session with youngster Liam Martin.

 Some of the Extra Time team, including myself, received a special all-access tour of Bankwest Stadium this week ahead of Thursday’s clash between Parramatta and Penrith. What a venue this is – the corpo-

rate areas are second to none, the food options and thought process is amazing and the seating is out of this world. It really makes you understand why the investment in stadium infrastructure in

 There’s no question that the Panthers

membership and corporate teams are feeling very nervous about Penrith’s performances this season. Several key sponsors are off-contract at the end of the year, while membership has been a reasonably easy sell in recent years given the club has consistently made the Finals.

The staff at Panthers HQ could be in for a tough off-season as they try to convince sponsors and members to stay on the bus.

 Which journalist was so annoyed that

other media outlets didn’t hold a story as per his wishes that he complained to the Panthers media team?

 Reagan Campbell-Gillard received a Bankwest Stadium in Parramatta earlier this week

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, May 24, 2019

FEATURE

SEARCHING FOR FIRST WIN After a successful stint in SG Ball, Martin progressed to Penrith’s NYC side in 2016 and was part of the club’s premiershipwinning ISP team the following year.

Martin’s strong performances last season saw him selected in the NSW Residents side and named on the bench in the ISP Team of the Year.

Last week against the New Zealand Warriors Martin enjoyed another significant career milestone, named in Ivan Cleary’s run-on side for the first time.

Martin says he has to pinch himself when he thinks about how far he’s come this year.

“At the start of the year I was hoping to get a debut but I certainly didn’t think it would come as early as Round 3,” Martin said.

“I’m getting more comfortable and used to the intensity and tempo of the game each week. It was another step up playing in the run- on side, the start of the game was so quick.”

The Temora Dragons junior is signed until the end of 2021.

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Panthers rookie Liam Martin is desperate for a win in first grade. Photo: Melinda Jane

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WALLACIA HOTEL

While Penrith fans have been struggling with the side’s losing streak, spare a thought for Panthers rookie Liam Martin.

Since making his NRL debut in Round 3 against the Melbourne Storm in Bathurst, the 22-year-old lock from country NSW is yet to taste victory in the NRL. Now five games into his NRL career, Martin is praying a win isn’t too far way.

“I haven’t had a win yet, perhaps I’m the jinx,” he told Extra Time.

“We are all definitely frustrated especially when you look at the talent in our side and to not be transferring that into results is extremely disappointing.

“We are all feeling it on and off field, but we just have to stick together and have each other’s backs.”

Martin has been part of the Panthers’ famed junior system since 2015 when he moved from Temora near Wagga to live out his rugby league dream.

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Friday, May 24, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

FEATURE Brian To’o with some of his supporters last Friday.

Photo: Megan Dunn

BRIAN’S ARMY PENRITH ROOKIE HAS IMPRESSIVE FAN BASE NATHAN

TAYLOR

34

New Panthers winger Brian To’o will never forget the special moment he and his mother shared when he was told he’d be making his NRL debut.

“I was in the car with Mum because she picked me up from training and, as soon as we were five minutes into the drive back home, Ivan Cleary called and said he wanted me to play first grade that week,” To’o told Extra Time.

Emotional and in complete shock, the 20- year- old from Mt Druitt went silent, prompting the coach to ask if he was still on the line.

“I said ‘yes coach, I’m still here’. Mum couldn’t stop crying as well so she pulled over in front of the stadium, got out of the car and gave me a big hug,” To’o said.

“She told me how proud she was of me and that I made it.”

No one expected To’o to make first grade so soon but with long- time Panthers winger Josh Mansour struggling for form in 2019, it soon became apparent that Penrith needed to make a change. To’o said he felt plenty of pressure replacing the former representative winger.

“It was definitely big shoes to fill, Sauce isn’t just good for the team but all Panthers fans out there,” he said.

“It was an honour and a privilege to be his replacement, it was kind of tough but I think I did alright.

“The only advice Sauce gave me was to have fun, and that’s the best bit of advice anyone can get.”

While Penrith were unable to win in To’o’s debut last Friday night, the youngster let nobody down especially his family and friends – all 105 of them.

To’o recalled the incredible story of how he managed to snare so many tickets for his nearest and dearest.

“At first the club asked me how many tickets do I need and I said ‘how many can you give me because I have a big family?’,” he explained.

“IT WAS REALLY EMOTIONAL”

Brian To’o at the Panthers Academy earlier this week. Photo: Melinda Jane “They started off with 50 and then I asked if I could get any more. They then handed me 70 tickets and I thought that should be enough. However, I kept getting calls.

“I then spoke to our team manager Jason Wrigley and he said ‘here’s 105 tickets for you’. I thought to myself that should do but I then ended up calling him asking for an extra 20… I think I pushed my luck,” he laughed.

Named in Ivan Cleary’s line- up once again this week, To’o said he’ll never forget that special night on May 17 and hopes to continue to do his family and friends proud as his NRL career gets underway.

“It was really emotional especially for my Mum who is always going to be my number one fan,” To’o said.

“It was really good for everyone to come out and support me, everyone in the area.

I’m now hungry for more.”

Freddy faces Origin selection headache

MATT RUSSELL W

e are all Origin selectors this week. At work. At home. At kids sport. At the pub. At length!

What does the back three look like for QLD? Who will be in the centres for NSW? Should Daly Cherry-Evans be QLD halfback after a month off injured?

Can you keep a NSW halfback who has found the going tough in a team running last?

Let’s tackle that last question by putting all the contenders under the microscope.

The incumbent is Penrith’s Nathan Cleary, who, last year, returned from injury to star in two wins against Wests Tigers and St George- Illawarra before being picked for his NSW debut.

He played every minute of the Origin series as a 20-year-old. New South Wales won the first two games. The Blues had their halfback for the best part of the next decade.

Phil Gould had suggested that if Brad Fittler picked the youthful Cleary, he had to pick him for the next three years.

Can you really stick with a halfback from the team running 16th and whose stats

don’t compare to the best in the league at the moment?

Maybe you can. He’s the incumbent.

Seemingly unflappable. Surrounded not by a bunch of battling Panthers but by the best players NSW can assemble. A half with really strong support from senior NSW players.

Brad Fittler would love it to be easy.

Cleary’s form and, just as importantly, the form of the other contenders might have the coach nicknamed ‘Fidgety’ not ‘Freddy’.

Here are some statistics. Mitchell Pearce has the most linebreak assists in the competition with 16, followed by Cody Walker’s 15. Luke Keary is fifth on 10.

When it comes to try assists, Pearce and Keary are joint leaders on 13 (along with Damien Cook), while Walker is just behind on 10. When you start talking kicking stats another name enters the discussion, Adam Reynolds. He is second for kick metres and forced dropouts.

Don’t like stats? Well, Mitchell Pearce is an out and out competitor who has just played the best month of footy in his career.

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, May 24, 2019

Brought to you by

Can Nathan Cleary keep his Blues jumper?

Cody Walker has the ball on a string, X-factor galore and a knack of finding the right place as the right time. Luke Keary has been mentioned alongside James Tedesco and Cam Munster as the best players in the game. Adam Reynolds has

steered Souths to the top of the table and has been anointed by a bloke who knows a bit about Origin, his coach.

So who will be the NSW 6 and 7? We find out Sunday night. Enjoy your selection meeting, wherever that might be.

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Friday, May 24, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

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Coaching merry-go-round delivers varied results

CLINTON MAYNARD T

he NRL off- season witnessed an unprecedented number of clubs hire new coaches, some involved straight swaps while others saw old ones going back home. After 10 rounds it’s a fair time to judge their success.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs were a top four side last year and didn’t want to lose their coach to Brisbane, but hiring Broncos legend Wayne Bennett looks to be a master stroke and, after 10 rounds, they sit alone at the top of the competition.

Bennett is the best man manager in the game, players love playing for him. The Souths players seem relaxed and happy.

Bennett is not the game’s greatest tactician and he’s also not the man to rebuild a club from scratch, his success has always come with a strong squad. With a structure already in place he has the ability to motivate players to take that extra step.

Brisbane on the other hand are clearly rebuilding under Anthony Seibold.

While they’ve now strung together a few wins they are a long way from being the premiership contender critics expected them to be.

Seibold is a coach of structure and is

Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire. Photo: Melinda Jane essentially rebuilding the club from the ground up. The players have had trouble adjusting to a different style, but in time they will benefit.

John Morris never thought he’d be a

head coach at 38, thrown into the job at Cronulla when Shane Flanagan was deregistered. He heads a club hit with salary cap penalties and a squad decimated by injuries forcing him to debut

more youngsters than any other. However those youngsters have been nurtured by Morris himself in the lower grades and while this season appears likely to be up and down, with Morris leading the future looks solid.

Des Hasler should be the favourite for Coach of the Year. He’s gone home to a club Trent Barrett claimed didn’t have the resources to be competitive, didn’t even have chairs! Yet his side is entrenched in the top eight and another playing without many of its stars.

He’s brought in no names who defend their line like their lives depend on it, just like Des did when he played.

The Wests Tigers are another club having an up and down season, but they are competitive week after week.

Michael Maguire has them playing tough football and he’s getting the best out of veterans Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall.

The bus has departed Concord with their previous coach still on it but Tigers bosses are happy.

Which brings us to Penrith... at least new coach Ivan Cleary has a five year contract, but what’s a contract in rugby league?

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, May 24, 2019

Brought to you by

20–26 May 2019

Volunteers are one of our greatest assets. Join us during National Volunteer Week to celebrate our dedicated volunteers

YOU ARE INVITED! Please join us for morning tea between 10:00am - 11:30am at: Katoomba op shop on Monday 20th May 2/27 Whitton Street, Katoomba

"It started in the hot weather. I'd wear my hat to cut the glare and heat when bringing in donations or collapsing carboard boxes for recycling. Nearly every time I took it off, someone would pick up the hat and take it out into the shop to sell!

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Penrith op shop on Friday 24th May 201-211 High Street, Penrith

We look forward to seeing you there!

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Friday, May 24, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

NRL LADDER AND FIXTURES PD

W

D

L

B

F

A

10

9

0

1

0

250

149

+101 18

2 Storm

10

8

0

2

0

251

137

+114

3 Roosters

10

8

0

2

0

263

163

+100 16

4 Raiders

10

6

0

4

0

209

148

+61

12

5 Sea Eagles

10

6

0

4

0

195

170

+25

12

6 Knights

10

5

0

5

0

213

172

+41

10

7 W Tigers

10

5

0

5

0

192

194

-2

10

8 Eels

10

5

0

5

0

215

224

-9

10

9 Sharks

10

5

0

5

0

188

199

-11

10

CLUB

1

Rabbitohs

+/-

PTS

16

10 Warriors

10

4

0

6

0

204

218

-14

8

11 Broncos

10

4

0

6

0

183

205

-22

8

12 Dragons

10

4

0

6

0

178

231

-53

8

13 Cowboys

10

4

0

6

0

164

221

-57

8

14 Bulldogs

10

3

0

7

0

136

224

-88

6

15 Titans

10

2

0

8

0

166

239

-73

4

16 Panthers

10

2

0

8

0

127

240

-113

4

Round 11

/ / / / / / / /

FACE IN THE CROWD

Thursday, May 23 7.50pm Bankwest Stadium

Friday, May 24 6pm Lottoland Friday, May 24 7.55pm McDonald Jones Stadium Saturday, May 25 3pm GIO Stadium Saturday, May 25 5.30pm Mt Smart Stadium Saturday, May 25 7.30pm ANZ Stadium Sunday, May 26 2pm Belmore Sports Ground Sunday, May 26 4pm WIN Stadium

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 2019-001 PRODUCED BY The Western Weekender EDITOR Troy Dodds / 4722 2998 / troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au CONTRIBUTORS Nathan Taylor / Clinton Maynard / Matt Russell SALES DIRECTOR Chris Pennisi / 4722 2998 chris.pennisi@westernweekender.com.au

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Petero heads home Petero Civoniceva summed it up by simply saying that he “needed to go home”.

One of rugby league’s true nice guys, Civoniceva didn’t hint at the other dramas behind the scenes that were part his decision to return to the Brisbane Broncos for his final year in the top grade.

A new coach, a re-building phase and continuing drama had ensured that Civoniceva, a prized signing for the 2008 season, would leave the Penrith club at the end of 2011.

As the Weekender reported on its front page on July 29, 2011: “The turbulent year at the Penrith Panthers took another bizarre twist on Tuesday when captain, Petero Civoniceva, sensationally quit the club just weeks after being told he had a ‘job for life’. The Panthers stunned the rugby league community with the announcement just after 9am on Tuesday.”

At a press conference later that day, Civoniceva confirmed he’d been granted a release and had a signed a one- year deal with the Brisbane Broncos for the 2012 NRL season.

“I’ve had four great seasons here and some great memories obviously and some great friends both on and off the football field,” Civoniceva said.

Former skipper Petero Civoniceva “It’s been a real honour to play for the Panthers.”

Civoniceva joined the Panthers in 2008 after a decade with the Broncos.

At the press conference where he announced his departure, the former

Queensland and Australian forward denied that a rumoured rift with new General Manager Phil Gould played a part in the decision to move on.

“He’s been very supportive and we’ve talked all the way through this whole process,” he said.

“It’s a decision purely based on wanting to take my family home.”

But it was widely known that Civoniceva was unhappy with the way the coaching situation was handled at the Panthers, firstly with the sacking of Matthew Elliott and then the snubbing of Assistant Coach, Steve Georgallis, for the job.

“I guess for us as a playing group we were hopeful that he [Georgallis] would get an opportunity,” Civoniceva said at the time.

Phil Gould said Civoniceva would always be remembered for his stint at Penrith.

“His influence at Penrith will be evident long after he’s gone,” he said.

Civoniceva may have only played 74 games for the Panthers, but he will always be remembered fondly by fans for his leadership both on and off the field. During what were often tough times for Penrith during the Matthew Elliott era, Civoniceva was always a highlight to watch, and always had the respect of the fans.

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, May 24, 2019

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Friday, May 24, 2019 « the western weekender • extra time

EXTRA MINUTES  Sydney Roosters halfback Cooper

Cronk has announced that he’ll retire from the NRL at the end of the season, bringing down the curtain on his 16-year career. Roosters coach Trent Robinson said: “The records will show that Cooper was only with our Club for two years, but it speaks volumes of his character that his place in the history of our Club is assured.”

 Dragons coach Paul McGregor has

admitted Jack de Belin’s loss in court last Friday rattled his side and was unexpected. “To be totally honest we all expected him to be available today, but he wasn’t so we had to move on pretty quickly from that,” McGregor said after the Dragons’ heavy defeat at the hands of Newcastle last weekend. “I hope that didn’t have an effect on the performance today ... some say it may have because Jack is a very well liked person and an important part of our football team.”

 Darwin’s new Territory Rugby League

Stadium has officially opened. The purpose-built rugby league stadium and facilities is a refurbishment of the Warren Park ground in Darwin and will cater for men’s and women’s rugby league training and matches. “I want to thank

the Northern Territory Government for their vision and funding of this project, which is crucial to the ongoing success of rugby league in Darwin and throughout the Territory,” Australian Rugby League Commissioner, Professor Megan Davis said. Territory Rugby League Stadium has three fields, can hold over 10,000 fans, and includes four change rooms, food and beverage facilities, onsite storage for clubs and over 500 car parks. The NRL’s Northern Territory office will be housed at the stadium, with local competitions to be played at the venue, in addition to touring matches.

 Sad news last weekend with New Zea-

land rugby league great Quentin Pongia passing away at the age of 48 after a battle with cancer. Pongia represented the Kiwis 35 times and played for the Raiders, Warriors, Roosters and Dragons in Australia between 1993 and 2003, before spending two seasons in the Super League.

 Fox League made some drastic mid-

season scheduling changes this week with its flagship program ‘NRL 360’ moving to 7.30pm weeknights. ‘League Life’ and ‘The Fan’ also have new timeslots, while ‘Queenslanders Only’ and ‘The Greatest’ have both been rested.

Sydney Roosters halfback Cooper Cronk is retiring at the end of the 2019 season

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the western weekender » Friday, May 24, 2019

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