JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
FARM TO THE FOOTY FIELD
WHAT’S ON FUN
COREY HARAWIRA-NAERA & JAMES FISHER-HARRIS
EVERYDAY OF THE WEEK
GUS
TALKS SEASON 2018
GOLF SPECIALS SWING IN EVERYDAY OF THE WEEK
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STAG E 1 N OW S E LLIN G 50% SO LD
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Footy Gods Guiding Journey From the Farm to the Footy Field The ‘Footy Gods’ often have much to answer for to the average punter who witnesses their team cruelled by bad decisions, injury to key players or the bounce of the ball not going their way. But for two happy-go-lucky country boys from Ngāpuhi in the north island of New Zealand, those same football gods are playing a part in their rise in to the limelight of the National Rugby League. James Fisher-Harris and Corey Harawira-Naera weren’t meant to make it to the pinnacle of the Rugby League world. Their towns were so remote that everyone knew each other and they passed time by fishing, swimming or being on the farm. They found Rugby League in their teenage years and, after both impressing in their local representative side, they got paid a visit by their current manager who orchestrated their move to Penrith. “My manager came up to my house and no one really comes all the way to my house,” Fisher-Harris said with a wry grin. “The opportunity was pretty big for guys like us, from where we’re from.” With their family’s blessings, both packed their bags and traded the Hokianga Harbour for the Nepean River. But the transition for two fresh-faced teens who left their loved ones was difficult. “We’re both pretty family-oriented. Mum did everything for me and ‘Fish’ so we had to start being adults. But we always got advice from our mums whenever we made decisions,” said Harawira-Naera.
Enter the Footy Gods. Their sacrifices were validated when they tasted success with the Panthers under 20’s side in 2015. That resulted in an NRL debut for Fisher-Harris in the opening round of 2016. His compatriot followed suit just over a year later. Fisher-Harris recalled the mixture of emotions as he discovered the moment he worked for was finally about to happen. “The club rang mum and told her. They also organised for my family to come over to watch the game. I was stressing out, I was on the sideline for ages and when I went onto the field I felt like didn’t know what I was doing!” For Harawira-Naera it was a similar story. “The family came over and it was pretty special. Pop (grandad) and mum were probably the most proud. It’s everything you’ve been working for so you don’t want to stuff it up.” His debut was extra special given it fell on his mother’s birthday. With her name etched on his wrist as a source of inspiration, he gave her the perfect present by scoring in a 40-0 win over Newcastle.
They both made the NRL team together for the first time against their hometown team – the Warriors. However, an injury to Fisher-Harris would deny them the opportunity to take the field together at the same time. That moment would instead arrive months later. Again against the Warriors. This time in Auckland surrounded by their loved ones. And rather than running around on the paddocks of their country towns, they were on the hallowed turf of Mt Smart Stadium. “That was like another Footy Gods kind of thing,” said Harawira-Naera. “It was special because we both got to see our families. We needed a lot of tickets.” Now both fully-fledged members of the Panthers squad and having had a taste of the Finals, the next step for the pair from Ngāpuhi is to hoist the NRL trophy aloft. And you wouldn’t bet against it. The Footy Gods will be watching over them.
“It was another moment where you think it’s fate. There were a few tears afterwards. It was a really special occasion.” “She’s everything to me. Everyone’s got that one person that’s done more for you than anyone else. I remember on my 8th birthday my wish was for her to quit smoking. So she did and hasn’t smoked since. I want to start looking after her now that I’ve for a bit more money in my pocket.” The Footy Gods weren’t done there.
aomkone Kaidr th ay of each Last Fr 8.30pm till 11.30pm
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WEEKDAY GOLF SPECIAL $30 18 holes of golf, shared cart & $5 Bar voucher for just $30 per person Available weekdays ONLY, Excludes Public Holidays
WEEKEND QUICK ROUND 1-3PM $25 10 holes of golf, shared cart & $5 Bar voucher for just $25 per person Available SAT & SUN 1pm - 3pm ONLY, Excludes Public Holidays * Minimum of 2 players
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WEEKEND SOCIAL HAPPY HOUR 12-1PM $40 18 holes of golf, shared cart & $5 Bar voucher for just $40 per person Available SAT & SUN 12-1pm ONLY, Excludes Public Holidays * Minimum of 2 players
Panthers Ready to Pounce 2018 Season Preview Phil Gould AM
Pictured: James Maloney in the Red, Yellow and Green stripes.
Preparations are well underway for the 2018 season and we are very excited at the prospects at a successful year.
of the future. It was also a welcome return to the Australian team for Josh Mansour. Dean Whare and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak have come through their NZ Kiwis campaign unscathed and are looking forward to the new season.
The pre-Christmas training period was good, albeit restricted with a number of players undergoing injury rehab and our representative stars playing in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC).
Sione Katoa played a big role in the emergence of Tonga as a strong force in the international game and the experience gained will be invaluable for the upcoming season.
From an injury perspective players like Corey Harawira-Naera, Dylan Edwards, Tyrone May, Waqa Blake, Jed Cartwright and Bryce Cartwright all played the back part of the 2017 season with injury and have had to undergo surgery or extensive rehabilitation prior to Christmas. I can report they are on track and should be available for the start of the season, with Tyrone May the only exception. He is targeting a return sometime in April. We are extremely pleased with the performances of our players in the 2017 RLWC. Reagan Campbell-Gillard performed outstandingly in the green and gold and stamped himself as a long-term representative player
been a success for several clubs in the NRL and at the highest levels of representative football sides. He brings a wealth of playing experience, but more importantly a wealth of successful experience. We welcome Jim and his family to the club.
Over the past couple of months we have announced several contract extensions for some of our younger players. Our fullback Dylan Edwards thoroughly deserved an upgrade and extension to his existing deal. Tyrone May has esYoung Jarome Luai performed tablished himself as an NRL player admirably for Samoa against top of the future and has also extended quality opposition. That experience his contract until 2020. We are will further aid his development also very pleased to announce that at this stage of his career and has the reliable Isaah Yeo has agreed already returned to training with to extend his contract until season the top squad. 2021. Still only 23 years old, Isaah has already played over 80 NRL The big news coming out of the games and we view him as a long2017 RLWC was the performances term leader at our club. of Viliame Kikau, who starred for Fiji in their run to the semi-finals. At the moment the coaches and ‘Billy’ is now injury-free and we players are well into their pre-seaall saw how well he performed at son preparations and looking the back end of the season in our forward to a successful season premiership-winning ISP side. He ahead. carried that through to the World Cup and earned the accolade of We again thank the Board and selection in the RLWC Team of the Management of Panthers Group Tournament. for their generous and unwavering support of the Panthers Rugby Without doubt the biggest news League program and the Penrith for Panthers this year has been the District Junior Rugby League. signing of James Maloney. Jim has PANTHERS.COM. AU • 5
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Weekday Golf Special $30 per person includes 18 holes, a shared cart & a $5 bar voucher, min 2 players
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Friday Fairway Raffle Tickets on sale from 5pm Members Cash Draw 1st draw 8pm & 2nd draw 9pm. Jackpots by $500 per week if not won. Must be WON when $10,000 is reached. Members Discount Drinks 6pm to 7pm on Tooheys tap beer Weekday Golf Special $30per person includes 18 holes, a shared cart & a $5 bar voucher, min 2 players $10 Lunch Specials 11.30am & 3pm
Meat Market Raffle Tickets on sales from 5pm Buy 1 Main Meal get 2nd for $5 $10 Lunch Specials 11.30am & 3pm Weekday Golf Special $30 per person includes 18 holes, a shared cart & a $5 bar voucher, min 2 players
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Bingo On sale 10am eyes down 11.30pm $10 Lunch Specials 11.30am & 3pm Weekday Golf Special $30 per person includes 18 holes, a shared cart & a $5 bar voucher, min 2 players
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Kids Eat Free* Members only. Free kids meal with every adult meal purchased. 1 per member per day Weekend Social Happy Hour 18 Holes, shared cart & a $5 bar voucher. Minimum 2 players, $40 per person 12pm to 1pm Weekend Quick Round 1pm till 3pm 10 Holes, shared cart & a $5 bar voucher. Minimum 2 players, $25 per person 1pm to 3pm Members Cash Draw 1st draw 5.30pm, 2nd draw 6.30pm & 3rd draw 7.30pm. Jackpots by $500 per week if not won. Must be WON when $10,000 is reached. $10 Lunch Specials 11.30am & 3pm
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Weekend Social Happy Hour 8 Holes, shared cart and a $5 bar voucher. Minimum 2 players, $40 per person 12pm to 1pm Weekend Quick Round 10 Holes, shared cart and a $5 bar voucher. Minimum 2 players, $25 per person 1pm to 3pm A Selection of $10 Lunch Specials 11.30am & 3pm
Weekly R AFFLES WEDNESDAY NIGHT RAFFLES 5 X FRUIT & VEG TRAYS TO BE WON & 15 X MEAT TRAYS TO BE WON TICKETS ON SALES FROM 5.30PM DRAWN AT 7.30PM 6 • #PANTHERPRIDE
FRIDAY NIGHT MEAT RAFFLES A SELECTION OF MEAT, FRUIT & VEG TRAYS & CLUB HOUSE VOUCHERS TO BE WON TICKETS ON SALES FROM 5.30PM DRAWN AT 7.30PM
MEMBERS OFFERS JANUARY 2018
SATURDAY PASTA NIGHT
Purchase a pasta dish and receive another FREE. Choice of 3 sauces
SAVE $12.50
$10 ROTHBURY ESTATE WINE BOTTLE
Receive 1 bottle of Rothbury Estate Wine for $10 with every main meal purchase
FEBRUARY 2018
SAVE $12.50
FREE ROTHBURY ESTATE WINE BOTTLE
Receive 1 bottle of Rothbury Estate Wine FREE when purchasing 2 main meals
SAVE $12.50
THURSDAY CHICKEN NIGHT
Buy 1 Chicken Special and receive the same special FREE
SAVE $12.50
Terms and Conditions: Each offer Valid 1 per member for January & February. Not valid with any other offer. Must present 2018 Membership Card to receive offer. Trading hours may vary please check website. Correct at time of printing & Subject to availability. RSA laws and conditions apply
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MEMBERS’ BADGE DRAW
EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY 5.30PM, 6.30pm & 7.30PM Jackpots $500 per week if not claimed
*Earn second chance draws by spending $5 or more at the bar or $15 or more at The Bistro using your membership card. Members must be present at the time of the draw. Terms and conditions apply. Authorised under NSW Permit Number LTPS/16/19581