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Friday, July 7, 2017 « the western weekender • extra time

PANTHER RUMBLINGS

with the Masked Panther

KATOA'S BIG WEEK

Hooker Sione Katoa has re-signed until the end of 2019

» It was a whirlwind few days for young

Panthers hooker Sione Katoa last week. The 22-year-old re-signed with the Panthers for two more seasons last Thursday, and a couple of days later earned a call-up to replace an ill Mitch Rein in the side to play the Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium. Katoa’s new contract will see him remain with the Panthers until at least the end of the 2019 season. A former Junior Kiwis representative, Katoa was appointed captain of the Panthers Intrust Super Premiership NSW side in 2017. He’s now played three first grade matches.

» Panthers boss Phil Gould has taken the

extraordinary step of opening up about rumours surrounding former five-eighth Te Maire Martin, speaking with Fairfax’s Danny Weidler last Sunday. The rumour surrounds Martin sleeping with a Penrith teammate’s partner, and has been doing the rounds of the rugby league world for the last few months. It is untrue, as we have pointed out in this column previously. “I don’t usually respond to rumours, however this particular accusation against Te Maire has been most vicious, scurrilous and hurtful,” Gould said. “I seriously question the motivation and integrity of those who started this rubbish.” Gould said the playing group

gathered to discuss the matter after the rumour started to gain more traction. “We had a conversation and the players dismissed it and said they wanted to support Te Maire,” Gould said. “It all started with a couple of media types who are desperate for a story when he missed a couple of games through injury. It somehow became him being stood down because of an affair. I can’t emphasise enough how wrong this is and I am speaking out today because of the hurt it has caused him and his family.” Gould’s stance is admirable however it should be pointed out that the rumour itself was largely spread by fans (many of them Penrith fans) and not the media. Gould himself brought up the rumour of “a player sleeping with another player’s wife” at a Member’s Forum earlier this year and tried to shut it down there and then, but many fans persisted with spreading it.

» A number of Penrith players re-lived

their childhood last week, jumping at the chance to buy the new ‘Crash Bandicoot’ game on PS4.

» Michael Oldfield has joined a long list of players who have only made one appearance for the Penrith club. The 26-year-old outside back was released last week to

take up an opportunity with Canberra. He made his one appearance for the Panthers against Souths at Pepper Stadium earlier this year, scoring a try on his club debut. He was an ever-reliable performer for Penrith in the Intrust Super Premiership, scoring five tries in 12 games.

» Panthers winger Josh Mansour is a

huge English Premier League fan and is so pumped about his side Arsenal’s visit to Australia this month that he’s extended an invitation to the squad to visit Penrith and the club’s $22 million Academy. It’d be a huge coup for the Panthers if Mansour manages to convince the Gunners to head west.

» The Panthers are poised to announce

that OAK has signed an extended deal to remain the club’s major sponsor for a number of future seasons. Meanwhile, I’m told that Pepper is close to signing a new deal that would see them retain the naming rights of Penrith Stadium for another couple of seasons.

» A number of players supported Glen-

more Park Brumbies and their Mega Rump Challenge at the Silver Spur restaurant last weekend. Peter Wallace, Bryce Cartwright, Sione Katoa, Dean Whare and

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak all dropped by to show their support, but most failed to finish the epic challenge.

» Panthers forward Trent Merrin may be

investing in the Where’s Wally franchise after taking part in a unique social media experiment on Tuesday. The former NSW Origin star went live on Facebook and Instagram, gradually revealing his location until the first fan managed to track him down. The winner took home a pair of signed boots.

» Fox League continues to make huge

inroads, attracting an average audience of 217,000 for last Sunday’s clash between the Panthers and Rabbitohs. It’s an incredible result when you consider the free-to-air broadcast on Channel Nine attracted 291,000.

» What are they smoking over at the

TAB? On Monday, Penrith were installed as favourites to beat Manly despite the respective performances of both sides last weekend and their current positions on the ladder. When Daly Cherry-Evans was left out of the Queensland side, the Sea Eagles’ odds shortened slightly but the TAB still has the game evenly split, with both teams paying $1.90.

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MATCH PREVIEW

FINALS TIGHTROPE PANTHERS V SEA EAGLES | SATURDAY, JULY 8 • 5.30PM | PEPPER STADIUM | REFEREES: HENRY PERENARA & CHRIS JAMES

PANTHERS 1

Dylan Edwards

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 20

Josh Mansour Tyrone Peachey Waqa Blake Dallin Watene-Zelezniak Matt Moylan (c) Nathan Cleary James Tamou Mitch Rein Reagan Campbell-Gillard Corey Harawira-Naera Isaah Yeo Trent Merrin Sione Katoa 15 Leilani Latu Tim Browne Sitaleki Akauola Kaide Ellis 19 J Fisher-Harris Viliame Kikau 21 J Cartwright

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, July 7, 2017

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SEA EAGLES

Nathan Cleary after Sunday’s thrashing to Souths

TROY DODDS @troydodds

lights to the Goldie for less than $100. Los Angeles for only $996. A Fiji package deal that will blow your mind. These are just some of the Flight Centre offers the Panthers may be interested in booking this September. They won’t be doing anything else, that’s (almost) for sure. Maybe I’ll have egg on my face come Finals time but after last week’s 42-14 capitulation to Souths at ANZ Stadium, I’m struggling to see the Panthers winning the required six or seven games that would have them playing in the post-season. If they haven’t found their groove by

Round 17, it’s unlikely it’ll be found in the next nine weeks. And the chances of playing Finals footy could well evaporate in the next fortnight with tough games against Manly and the Warriors on the agenda. On the Triple M coverage last weekend, Ryan Girdler called Penrith’s performance “unproductive” – a good summation of where the side is at right now. They didn’t appear interested in wrestling back momentum once it had been lost mid-way through the first half, and were completely out-enthused and out-played by a side that has been poor for most of the year. Manly played in tough conditions over in Perth last weekend and there’s no doubt their preparation for this game would have been impacted by such a long road trip, but Penrith will need more than that on their side to beat the third placed team this weekend.

Down 16-0 against the Warriors, the Sea Eagles found the grit and determination that Penrith lack to eventually wrestle control of the game and collect the two competition points. The Sea Eagles have developed a killer attitude under Trent Barrett this year and are starting to really hit their straps at the right time of the season, and while their forwards have been impressive enough it’s their backs that have really been doing the hard yards and shining through in the stats. Tom Trbojevic and Dylan Walker in particular should be on coach Anthony Griffin’s whiteboard this week. With Josh Mansour being found out by the high ball twice in the last fortnight, you can expect Daly Cherry-Evans to target his wing with a few big bombs on Saturday night. Cherry-Evans is surely in line for a big game given he has a point to prove to

Tom Trbojevic

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 19

Matthew Wright Dylan Walker Brian Kelly Akuila Uate Blake Green Daly Cherry-Evans Brenton Lawrence Apisai Koroisau Martin Taupau Frank Winterstein Jarrad Kennedy Darcy Lussick Cameron Cullen Lloyd Perrett 16 Shaun Lane A Fonua-Blake 18 J Wright J Hastings 20 Brad Parker

Queensland selectors after being left out of the Origin decider. Manly are certain to have a good crack at Penrith’s right-side defence too given how easily it seemed to open up against the Rabbitohs. Penrith were dealt some bad news earlier this week with Dean Whare suffering a broken jaw, but Tyrone Peachey comes into his centre spot and the energetic utility has been desperate for more game time, so the pieces fit together well. James Fisher-Harris also looks set to return via the bench. Penrith need to win this more than Manly, but I’m not convinced the Panthers are playing anywhere near well enough at the moment to snag a victory, even if the Sea Eagles are a little off their game. Last Sunday’s loss to Souths would have been extremely confidence-sapping. Tip: Sea Eagles by 10.

Friday, July 7, 2017 « the western weekender • extra time

FEATURE

BACKING GRIFFIN NATHAN TAYLOR @natetaylor87

enrith players have thrown their support behind embattled coach Anthony Griffin despite a number of disgruntled fans calling for his head after last Sunday’s thrashing at the hands of South Sydney. Fans have had an on-again, off-again love affair with Griffin since he joined the club ahead of the 2016 season. Right now, the knives are well and truly out. It was only a matter of weeks ago that Griffin was on the verge of being delivered a two-year contract extension but back to back losses, including a 28-point defeat to the lowly Rabbitohs, has put that plan – or at least any announcement – on ice. Speaking on Monday afternoon, Penrith prop James Tamou said the criticism of

Griffin wasn’t warranted and fans should find someone else to blame. “Everyone is always going to have an opinion, you just have to take it,” he told Extra Time. “I don’t think he (Griffin) has too much to worry about; he’s loved by the players. It’s just us on the field, we just have to turn up. “After yesterday, the finger should be pointed at us and we have to turn it around this weekend.” Interchange forward Tim Browne agreed with his teammate and former Origin star, labelling Griffin an “inspiration”. “It’s just the nature of this game, everyone’s in the limelight and when things are going wrong everyone is going to point the finger at someone,” he said. “Hook’s got some tough skin and he doesn’t let it translate down to the playing group either. He’s an inspiration.” Meanwhile, one player taking the sole blame for Penrith’s loss to the Rabbitohs

Panthers coach Anthony Griffin and captain Matt Moylan after last weekend’s loss was captain Matt Moylan. The 26-yearold’s awful pass in the 17th minute led to an Alex Johnston intercept and the first of an avalanche of tries. After the game the Penrith skipper took much of the blame but his teammates rallied behind him. “Moyza came up to myself and a few of the boys and took [the blame] on his own,” Tamou recalled. “It’s an 80 minute game, there are 13 of us on the field, and he was just doing what a captain does. But it wasn’t his fault, not at all. He has nothing to apologise for as far as I’m concerned.”

Last weekend’s loss makes Penrith’s task of making back to back Finals – for the first time since the 2003 and 2004 seasons – even tougher. Needing to win at least six of the remaining nine games to have a chance of scraping into the top eight, Tamou said the belief amongst the playing group took a big hit on Sunday. “The belief is shaken at the moment… we took a step backwards yesterday,” Tamou said. “After a scoreline like that, it’s always tough, and we’re just making it harder for ourselves to get into the top eight.”

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Friday, July 7, 2017 « the western weekender • extra time

FEATURE

FUN AND FOOTY NATHAN TAYLOR @natetaylor87

ust 24 hours after the horrific loss to South Sydney, Panthers players put on a brave face on Monday afternoon while conducting a juniors skills and drills clinic at the Rugby League Academy. Despite the odd comment or two from upset young fans about Sunday’s horrible performance, the entire NRL squad took it all in their stride as more than 200 local juniors braved chilly and wet conditions to be amongst their football heroes. “Some kids were pretty harsh,” James Tamou laughed. “Nah, they were alright. “It’s good to see them having fun and putting a smile on their faces. It puts smiles on our faces too.

“I applaud what the club is doing and I think there should be more of it.” The inaugural ‘Play Like A Panther’ clinic, which featured hundreds of local players from Penrith District Junior Rugby League competitions, was deemed an overwhelming success. Following the clinic, kids were able to obtain autographs and a selfie, proving there’s more to footy than on field results. Panthers prop Tim Browne said mingling with young fans was helpful in taking their minds off things. “Despite the loss being fresh in the memory bank, it’s good to get out with the kids and put smiles on their faces and have some fun,” he said. “It was good to try and forget about what happened yesterday.” Club officials and players will be hoping many of those young up and comers will be in attendance this Saturday night for Penrith’s first game at Pepper Stadium since Round 10.

Junior players took part in a special clinic with Panthers players on Monday afternoon The match against the high flying Manly Sea Eagles could make or break the club’s chances of making the post-season. “It feels like we haven’t been at home for ages,” Browne said. “We’re looking forward to getting back over the road and playing some good footy.” The 29-year-old forward put together his best ‘pitch’ to encourage people to brave the cold and put behind the poor recent form, to watch a great game at Pepper Stadium.

“It’s going to be a good night, it’s not going to rain and we’ll put on a good show. Hopefully we can score some points too,” Browne said. Following the game, members will have the opportunity to mingle with players on Sunday, from 11am to 1pm, at Panthers Leagues Club. The NRL squad and coach Anthony Griffin will be in attendance to meet and greet members at the event, before Panthers boss Phil Gould addresses the audience. It’s sure to be an interesting afternoon.

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It’s time to end the decade of dominance once and for all

JAMIE SOWARD

his Wednesday night’s State of Origin decider in Brisbane is the most important game in NSW Blues history. For so long we’ve spoken about Queensland’s dominance in the Origin arena but it’s time to put that to a stop once and for all. Queensland are a champion team and they proved that once again in Game II when they came back at the death to win. Nothing is easy when the Maroons are involved. However, I truly believe this year’s Blues are the better team, but they just lacked some experience in those final few minutes in Sydney to finish the game off. Even though NSW were in front with six or seven minutes to go, you never really thought they would close the game out – you just knew Queensland would score. While watching, you had the feeling NSW would lose their way and they did. Laurie Daley’s men didn’t execute the simple plays at the right time whereas Queensland could. For three halves of footy, NSW have been the better side.

Earlier this week, NSW named the same 17 as they did in Game I and II for Wednesday’s blockbuster clash. Not since 1996 have the Blues fielded the same team for all three games. While Queensland, well they again had some more forced changes with Darius Boyd and Johnathan Thurston missing through injury. There has been a lot of talk this week about Daly Cherry-Evans’ snubbing from the Maroons team and, I must say, I was a tad surprised myself. It appears Queensland have chosen a team that they feel fits best with their current system and I just don’t think DCE suits their game while Cooper Cronk and co are there. I thought DCE would make the team, a no-brainer. But to call up Brisbane’s Ben Hunt to debut, they’ve obviously consulted with some of the senior players to come to this decision. It’s a huge kick in the guts for DCE because he’s been outstanding for Manly this year but I’m sure his Origin career is far from over. At the end of the day, I don’t really care who Queensland have picked and who is

missing, and neither should NSW. I just want the Blues to go up to Brisbane with the same mentality and ruthlessness as in Game I and do the job. Bring the series home!

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Friday, July 7, 2017 « the western weekender • extra time

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Friday, July 7, 2017 « the western weekender • extra time

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Storm

385

249

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2 Sharks

326

241

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3 Sea Eagles

15 10

360

277

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5 Broncos

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343

287

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6 Cowboys

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332

289

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7 Dragons

339

283

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310

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317

343

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Round 18

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FACE IN THE CROWD

Friday, July 7 7.50pm Allianz Stadium

Saturday, July 8 5.30pm Pepper Stadium

Saturday, July 8 7.30pm AAMI Park Sunday, July 9 4pm Belmore Sports Ground

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Is the NRL top eight done and dusted?

WARREN SMITH

here’s still two months of the regular season to play, but even this far out there’s a real chance that the teams who will contest the Finals in September have already separated themselves from the rest of the pack. Round 17 was a disaster for the majority of clubs in the bottom half of the ladder, with only the Rabbitohs and Titans scoring wins out of those that are still in contention for the top eight. Parramatta, in eighth position, are two wins clear of the Warriors, Panthers and Rabbitohs, and three wins ahead of the Raiders, Bulldogs and Titans. The Raiders were able to string together 10 wins in a row at the end of the 2016 competition to roar their way into the Finals, but given their form, and the form of the teams around them on the ladder, can anybody see a late season surge from any of the teams who are currently on the outside looking in? Penrith and Canberra have been massive disappointments so far this season, and their respective performances last weekend, in particular, were a long way off what both teams showed during their

thrilling charge to the playoffs in the 2016 season. It would be overly optimistic to predict with any confidence that their best form is only a game away, and there’ll be a lot of navel-gazing going on in the football departments of both clubs.

The one glimmer of hope for the teams in the bottom eight is that the Dragons, who started the season playing tremendous football, have hit the wall during the Origin period. If the Dragons, or the Eels, struggle to get to the finish line between now and

September, then the window will open for one of the chasers. I’m not prepared to say it will happen, but it is sport after all, and if a school teacher from Brisbane can beat one of the greatest boxers of our time to become a world champion, then anything is possible!

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NRL RABBITOHS 42 PANTHERS 14 Amos Roberts played for Penrith in the 2004 season

inning a premiership is one of the most difficult things to do in rugby league. Winning two of them in a row is nearly impossible. The Panthers found this out the hard way in 2004, exiting premiership contention just one game short of the Grand Final and leaving the squad wondering what could have been. After the title success of 2003, expectations were high for another good year. The squad remained relatively stable and the younger members of the side were only going to get better. Things got off to a rough start, however, when the Panthers went down 20-14 to Newcastle at Penrith Stadium, stunning the big crowd of 19,936 who turned out to see the game. The Knights were not coming off a particularly special season, finishing

the Dragons on a Friday night in front of 21,963 fans. It turned out to be a thrilling contest, with a Craig Gower field goal ultimately getting Penrith home 31-30 after the Dragons produced a stunning comeback late in the game. Penrith had in fact led 24-0 at one stage, and appeared to have the game sewn up at 30-12 before the Dragons fought back. In the end, Gower’s 77th minute field goal was especially crucial – the Panthers didn’t know it at the time, but had they lost that night, their season would have been over – big upsets across the weekend and the controversial finals system at the time meant that the Dragons, despite finishing fifth, were bundled out of the Finals. The Panthers went into their Grand Final qualifier against the Bulldogs a little underdone, and lost 30-14. Penrith led 8-4 at the break, but the Bulldogs were simply too good in the second half.

the 2003 regular season in seventh spot, so the loss was a surprise. Things did get back on track though over the next month, with the Panthers stringing four wins together over the Raiders, Warriors, Roosters and Storm. It put Penrith back on top of the ladder, but two heavy defeats to the Dragons and Broncos would bring the side back down to Earth. With just the odd question mark floating around about Penrith’s premiership credentials, the critics were back on board when the side produced three stunning performances to finish the regular season. First, they thrashed a hapless North Queensland 56-6 at Penrith Stadium, then defeated arch rivals Parramatta 30-20 at Parramatta Stadium. In round 26, the Panthers gave it to Brisbane 46-20 to ensure they finished fourth. Fourth was enough to give the Panthers a home final, and they played

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Friday, July 7, 2017 « the western weekender • extra time

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THE WESTERN WEEKENDER 47 22 2998

FOX LEAGUE

THE WESTERN WEEKENDER 47 22 2998

MBR REALTY 4732 2888

NATHAN TAYLOR

ANDREW VOSS

TROY DODDS

MICHAEL BALL

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Eels Knights

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ALL OFFICE BOOK KEEPING 4733 7751

STANTON & TAYLOR 4731 2899

HARVEY NORMAN 4737 5111

LEISURE POOLS 4735 1585

CAROL COLLETTE

MICHAEL TAYLOR

PETER ANDERSON

PAUL NEWTON

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SYNERGY FINANCIAL SERVICES 4732 6555

RAINE & HORNE COMMERCIAL 4722 8500

KELLY PARTNERS 4721 7433

KEMPS CREEK CEMETERY 9826 2273

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MACQUARIE ACCOUNTANTS 4731 5628

STATE PENRITH MP 4722 8660

LOWER MOUNTAINS AIR 4735 6411

CHRIS LAWLER BUILDING 0405 107 506

CHRIS AYLING

STUART AYRES

ANTHEA STRATHDEE

CHRIS LAWLER

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PRD NATIONWIDE PENRITH 0414 620 532

GARTON GROUP MCDONALD’S 4721 2992

S&L CONCRETE 0411 704 302

ABL TILE AND BATHROOM CENTRE 9623 0499

DARREN LATTY

IAN GARTON

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TANYA DAVIS

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SUPREMACY FUNERALS 4721 2020

HERTZ 4731 6344

AT PRINT 4731 5055

PENRITH HOMEMAKER CENTRE 4737 9800

DONNA HILDON

TEENA EDWARDS

AARON TYERS

STACEY GLANVILLE

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HOTONDO HOMES 4751 5222

PROPERTY CENTRAL 0410 338 040

VISION PERSONAL TRAINING 4742 5079

A STEP AHEAD FOOT + ANKLE CARE 4732 2007

PAUL SPICER

LEE WATERHOUSE

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116 DICKIES TOWING 4736 4400

NARELLE TUBIE Rabbitohs Sea Eagles

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tr ivia 1. In what year did Waqa Blake (pictured) make his City Origin debut? 2. Where did Reagan Campbell-Gillard play his junior footy? 3. In what year did Dallin Watene-Zelezniak make his Test debut? 4. Who is the current CEO of the NRL? 5. Who will captain Queensland in Wednesday’s Origin decider?

ANSWERS: 1. 2015 2. Windsor Wolves 3. 2016 4. Todd Greenberg 5. Cameron Smith

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, July 7, 2017

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Bringing DESIGNS to Life Penrith City Council - Community Newsletter

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The official newsletter of Penrith City Council December 2016 edition

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