Nepean News PANTHERS LIFTOUT 29 September 2023

HUNTING HISTORY

FINAL MESSAGE: What do the Panthers mean to you?

The Panthers are just 80 minutes away from entering the NRL history books.

BY PANTHERS MEDIA

IF the Panthers defeat the Broncos this Sunday, they will become the first team to complete a historic three-peat since the iconic Parramatta team of the early 1980s.

2023 has already created many memorable moments and seen Panther Pride hit the Penrith community like never before.

You now have the chance to play your part in the club’s biggest test to date.

Tell the team what the club means to you, how you celebrate, why you bleed red, yellow and green and send them one last message ahead of the 2023 NRL Grand Final.

Please email your personal message of support and a photo in your Panthers gear to fan.mail@ panthers.com.au.

Whether you want to write a long message, or just a few words, our players can’t wait to hear from you.

All messages and photos will be posted up inside the Panthers Rugby League Academy prior to Sunday’s NRL Grand Final for the players to read as they prepare for what will be a thrilling finale to a memorable season.

ON THE

MARK

PANTHERS BID FOR GLORY!

BACK to back to back premiers in the NRL don’t come around all that often.

In fact there’s a reason it hasn’t been done since 81,82,83 when the Parramatta Eels last did it, because its so bloody hard to accomplish!

Especially in today’s game with a strict and stringent emphasis on the salary cap.

The Penrith Panthers are on the verge of greatness. To be where they are today after the dissection of their roster of the past several seasons is quite astonishing. Capewell, Burton, Koroisau, Kikau, Ciraldo and Webster all gone in the past 3 seasons with Crichton and Leniu leaving next season. All a byproduct of success.

Obviously to get to where they have gotten, the Panthers have a team all on the same page, and a system that affords the next man up not too intimidated when given the chance to perform.

A lot of plaudits must also be given to coach Ivan Cleary. When the above mentioned Ciraldo (defence coach) and Webster (attacking coach) left last season, a lot of eyes were on the head coach. And from an outsider looking in it would appear that Ivan hasn’t just answered the challenge, he has actually gone next level, from strength to strength as a mentor of men.

As for his charges?! Where do you start? Lets start from number 1. Dylan Edwards. At time of writing (Tuesday arvo) the Dally M player of the year hadn’t been named, Edwards must be close. What a season!

2. Sunia ‘Tito’ Turuva. Again would have to count himself unlucky not to be awarded the Dally M rookie of the year.

3. Izack Tago. Hasn’t played a lot of footy in the past couple of months but you get the feeling Sunday could be his day.

4. Stephen Crichton. The best centre in the game and will be sorely missed next year when he heads to the Bulldogs.

5. Brian To’o. Another incredible season from the ever reliable Mt Druitt messiah.

6. Jarome Luai. Will he stay or will he go? Whatever his decision it comes with the total blessing of every Panther fan and player. For the record I think ‘Romey” will remain a Panther.

7. Nathan Cleary. The game’s best player who has had the ball on a string of late. My tip for the Clive Churchill medal.

8. Moses Leota. Moses is getting better and better each season, his combination with the “Fish” a highlight.

9. Mitch Kenny. No Api no worries. He often sets the defensive standards in the best defensive team in the competition.

10. James Fisher-Harris. The Alpha male of his forward pack who demands respect whenever he takes the field.

11. Scott Sorensen. One of the Panthers best ever buys in my opinion, and like a glass of red wine he is getting better with age.

12. Liam Martin. Penrith’s number 1 “attack dog”, makes it personal whenever he takes the field.

13. Isaah Yeo. His past month of footy is up there with some of the best of his career.

14. Jack Cogger. Has filled the utility 6,7,9 spot with aplomb.

15. Lindsay Smith. One of the finds of this season’s premiership, fantastic season.

16. Spencer Leniu. ALWAYS makes a difference when he takes the field. and you also ALWAYS know when he’s come off the bench for action.

17. Luke Garner/ Zac Hosking. At the time of writing we were still not sure of the Panthers final 17 but whomever is given the last spot on the bench out of these two will be pinching themselves after both arriving in Penrith in the off-season with just the hope of making the top grade. A grand final birth must be a mind-blowing prospect for both men.

And what of the Panthers opponents this Sunday the Brisbane Broncos?

After finishing last three years ago in 2020, then 14th in 2021, and 9th last season, their turnaround to be Grand Finalists this year has been profound.

Like we did with the Panthers players, lets take a look at the Broncos team’s rise from the rugby league ashes.

1. Reece Walsh. the games new rockstar who has added an enormous amount of potency to the Broncos backline.

2. Jesse Arthars. Must think its an April fools joke to find himself on the wing in the biggest day of his sporting life.

3. Kotoni Staggs. Playing the best footy of his career.

4. Herbie Farnworth. Went down with an injury at training on Tuesday, the Broncos need him to play if they have any chance of victory.

5. Selwyn Cobbo. An out and out athlete who must be watched closely.

6. Ezra Mam. One of the most improved players in the comp and the fiveeighth of the year.

8. Tom Flegler. An origin forward who will mix it with the Panthers big boys.

9. Billy Walters. For mine the competition’s most improved player.

10. Payne Haas. The juggernaut MUST be stopped.

11. Kurt Capewell. Ex Panther who has had a calming influence on the baby Broncos.

12. Jordan Riki. Another solid season from an ultra reliable forward.

13. Pat Carrigan. Fantastic player with a massive motor. His match up with Yeoy will be epic!

14. Tyson Smoothy. A good foil for Walters when he takes the field.

15. Brendan Piakura. Very reliable backrower with great hands and hits a great hole.

16. Kobe Hetherington. Always does a job for Kevvy Walters.

17. Keenan Palasia. Has been a stand-out off the bench for the Broncos of late.

Whichever way you look at this game, it is the battle of the competition’s two best teams of 2023. This is the first time since 1966 that the same 2 teams have played both the first and the last game of the season. Its also the first time since 2005 we have a team from NSW and one from QLD vying for premiership honours.

And maybe something to take note of if you’re a Panther fan; In their past 73 games they have lost JUST ONCE when in front at halftime. WOW! That one loss was a state of origin affected game this year in round 16 against the Cowboys. So if the Panthers are leading at halftime history will tell you they are in a very nice position!

My predictions:

Score Penrith 28 Brisbane 14

First Try Scorer Dylan Edwards

Clive Churchill Medalist Nathan Cleary.

LETSSS GOOOOO PANTHERSSSSS!!!!!

If you’re looking for a new car, go see my mate Toby at Sinclair Hyundai. See you at the game!

MG (random Westie) OAM

7. Adam Reynolds. The architect behind Brisbane’s rebuild.

COACH’S CORNER NRL Grand Final Preview

WE have a Grand Final for the purists! The best two teams have navigated their way through the maze and journey that is the NRL season to face off in this Sunday’s decider.

Our home town Panthers hold the best attack and defensive records in the competition, along with the highest completion rate. A remarkable feat when you consider they lost Api Korisau and Villiame Kikau in the offseason. We all waited for a regression. Up stepped Mitch Kenny, Soni Luke, Luke Garner and Zac Hosking. The job done by Ivan Cleary and Matthew Cameron across the last decade has been nothing short of phenomenal. The role played by Ben Harden, Jono Rolfe, Jim Jones, Sam Jones and Lee Hopkins all developing generation next. The system is hard work, intelligence and hands on coaching. Irrespective of the result on the weekend the feat to make a fourth Grand Final in a row cements the Panthers as a modern day dynasty.

The Broncos are on a eerily similar path to the Panthers. Finish with a wooden spoon in 2020, Anthony Seibold resigns despite the fact he blooded and developed a lot of the players who

will run out and play in a Grand Final on Sunday. There was always going to be some pain early, as there was in Ivan Cleary’s early years at the foot of the mountains. Kevin Walters takes the job on the back of a push from several ex players, and the pain continues as the Broncos miss the Finals in 2021 and 2022. Pressure mounted on Kevin Walters late last season on the back of the Broncos late season slide. But on this occasion the Broncos held their nerve and they are reaping the rewards for this in 2023 as this young group matures into a genuine premiership contender.

Who wins the game? Excellent question!

This is one of the most difficult Grand Finals to predict in recent memory. The Panthers are the most disciplined team in the competition. They do not beat themselves. The art of winning is firstly in learning how not to lose. The Panthers have mastered this art. I give the edge to the Panthers with experience on this stage and across the playing roster. They also have the best key position player in the competition: Nathan Cleary. I expect him to collect his second Clive Churchill Medal on Sunday.

The Broncos have a look about them. They pass

Mounties Rugby League Club

- NSW Cup Head Coach

Chifley College Senior Campus

- Rugby League Program Head Coach

the eye test. Their physicality and speed stand out when you watch them play. As does their youthfulness and willingness to play an open style of football. If this game pans out to be open and fast it will suit the Broncos and they can definitely win. If it becomes slow, messy and physical I lean towards the Panthers, they live in that realm. For that reason I am going to pick the Panthers in a close one. I am really hoping for a close game! Enjoy the Grand Final!

It is also with a lot of sadness and gratitude that I inform readers of this column that this will be my final for Nepean News. I have had such a blast writing and having such a great platform across the last 8 years since my first column in 2016. In 2024 I am moving into a full time coaching role with an NRL club and this needs my full focus. Special mentions and thank you’s to my Dad Gary who has sponsored this column, MG who suggested to me one night over a beer that I should write a column and to Kerrie Davies and the whole team at Nepean News for the opportunity to write for the paper. Kerrie is such a beautiful and genuine person and I will be forever in her debt for providing me with such a fantastic opportunity.

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY PENRITH PARTY HIRE (02) 4731 1313

BROCK SHEPPERD

Yandamonium

And on and on it goes…

THANKS to the modern marvel that is the internet I recently came across a YouTube clip of a panel discussion between the late rugby league figures of the past, Ron Casey and Frank Hyde.

In typical Casey fashion he was having an argument with Hyde about, of all things, referee mistakes!

Hyde was arguing the treatment of the referees by the media was abhorrent and they were being unfairly criticised for errors of the time, being the late 1970s!

Let that sink in…the 1970s! Nothing it seems has changed in 50 years, although we are a million miles away from those times and have space-age technology, things are going to go wrong. If you are sitting at home watching refereeing “blunders” and screaming at the television, settle down, it’s been happening and will continue to happen and there nothing we as fans can do to change it. This public health message was brought to you by Nepean News.

The struggle is real.

WITH GREG YANDA

AS the Penrith Panthers prepare for a fourth consecutive grand final appearance spare a thought for the anguish of the supporters who have a very difficult decision to make. What jersey do I wear?!

There is an ever-increasing niche subculture of rugby league supporters who are self-proclaimed jersey nerds. Characteristics of this subculture include:

• Buying or selling old NRL/NSWRL/ARL jerseys for up to and more than $500.

• Frothing at the mouth when they see an authentic Alpha Micro choccy soldiers’ jersey in the flesh. You know the ones!

• Stock piling jerseys into categories of Keep it or Sell it, using the latter as leverage to buy the next jersey.

• Sneakily glancing at other blokes who are wearing a jersey you’d been looking for, and thinking about how much you’d offer them but never actually asking the question.

• Having a soft spot for North Sydney Bears, Newtown Jets and South Queensland Crushers jerseys, although you don’t care if they never come back.

And finally, having to pick just one jersey from your collection to wear to the grand final as your team chases a historic three-peat.

If you’re in the same boat I wish you well and to make the burden greater, there will be more to come next year!

And that’s full-time.

We are all cheering the mighty Penrith Panthers onto a glorious Grand Final victory. Go… Panthers!!

Panthers Hunt for Glory: Pursuing Eels Trifecta Triumph of the 80’s

BY MARK “MG” GEYER

THE Penrith Panthers are on the cusp of achieving something truly remarkable – the elusive three-peat. As they aim for a third consecutive premiership win, they find themselves in a position reminiscent of the legendary Parramatta Eels team of 1981, 1982, and 1983. To gain insight into the challenges and opportunities that come with such a remarkable achievement, I spoke with three “Parra greats” Brett “Bert” Kenny, Peter “Wally” Wynn and Peter “Sterlo” Sterling; all three being key to their historic 3peat.

Brett “Bert” Kenny:

MG: What are your fondest memories of the Parra ‘3peat’ of 81,82,83?

BK: I guess my fondest memories of ’81,’82’83 is scoring some tries, there is no better game to score a try in than a Grand Final. Also the reaction from the Parra fans back at the leagues club. It was great to see how happy and proud they were to have their team as Premiers. I must say the amount of fans back at the club in ’82 and ’83 had dropped off a bit, it was almost as if they expected to be Premiers again both those years.. lol

MG: What was your team mantra in 82, then 83, after winning in 81?

BK: The Mantra for the ’82 & ’83 Grand Finals was confidence. We weren’t overly confident but we knew what we were capable of and knew that we could do the job at hand. But didn’t take anything for granted.

MG: Do you see any similarities between your team back then and the Panthers team of the past few seasons?

BK: I can see some similarities between us and today’s Panthers. Their forward pack has plenty of mongrel in them like ours and also the front row lead them forward. They have two workhorse back rowers (we had Peter Wynn & Steve Sharp) and an inspirational lock (Ray Price ours). The backline is similar with quality halves, speed in the centres and wing plus a quality Fullback.

MG: What do you see as Penrith’s biggest hurdle of doing the 3 peat?

BK: The biggest hurdle I see for the Panthers is themselves, they can’t be too complacent and I’m sure Ivan won’t let that happen. They can’t expect things to happen for them; they must make them happen.

MG: What advice would you give to the current Panthers squad?

BK: My advice to the players is to listen to your coach, stick to your game plan and try to remain calm even when things may not go as planned. And remember there is no time to rest in Grand Final.

Peter “Wally” Wynn

MG: What are your fondest memories of the Parra ‘3peat’ of 81,82,83?

PW: The sound in 1983 when the referee blew the full time whistle is a frozen moment in time which was so amazing, so hard to find the right words to describe that feeling of elation. The sense and feeling of achievement, you go off to another planet. Words don’t describe it accurately, the happiness and the smiles on your team mates faces are with you forever.

1981,1982,1983 leaving the SCG and travelling back to Parramatta by bus, to be greeted by masses of fans lining the streets and the hordes outside Parramatta Leagues Club …. then to be taken upstairs to the auditorium and introduced one by one to the fans by Ray Warren is etched deeply in the memory.

MG: What was your team mantra in 82, then 83, after winning in 81?

PW: It’s just another game…”do the simple things right”… go on every play, back up, when you tackle a player put him to the ground which takes him out of the play. Respect the referee but give him no recognition, concentrate on your defence and the attack will look after itself. etc

MG: Do you see any similarities between your team back then and the Panthers team of the past few seasons?

PW: The Panthers team 2019/20/21 have a lot of similarities to our 1981/82/83 team:

-they are very well coached, they are a happy team, they are enthusiastic, very skilful, they play for each other with plenty of confidence, down to earth with no out of control egos.

MG: What do you see as Penrith’s biggest hurdle of doing the 3 peat?

PW: No one has a crystal ball and can predict what will happen in a game as big as this and the Panthers only have to do what they have done all year, which will take them a long way towards beating the Broncos, if there are hiccups in the game, no panic, they need to stay patient and settle back into their routine.

MG: What advice would you give to the current Panthers squad?

PW: Be ready to play, enjoy the game, go on every play, be patient.

Peter “Sterlo” Sterling

MG: What are your fondest memories of the Parra ‘3peat’ of 81,82,83?

PS: Greatest highlight of my career was being a part of Parramatta’s first ever Premiership winning team. Won them since and will win again in the future, but never again for the first time. To then go on and beat an outstanding Manly team full of internationals was tremendously satisfying.

MG: What was your team mantra in 82, then 83, after winning in 81?

PS: To work as hard as possible and prepare the best we could, to be better as individuals and as a team every week.

MG: Do you see any similarities between your team back then and the Panthers team of the past few seasons?

PS: I think both had the right balance to be successful. Experienced players who are great leaders and set high standards. Young exciting players who complemented them. Individual brilliance that could turn a game. Great defensive outfits. Excellent coaching featuring great relationships with the players.

MG: What do you see as Penrith’s biggest hurdle of doing the 3 peat?

PS: The ability of Brisbane to play an exciting, unpredictable style of play. They are not an easy side to defend against.

MG: What advice would you give to the current Panthers squad?

PS: Don’t change anything, just look to do it even better. Have no regrets, come off the field knowing you couldn’t have done any more in your efforts. If that’s the case the scoreboard will take care of itself. Get an early touch, whether it’s a carry or a tackle. Enjoy yourself.

Drawing parallels between his championshipwinning Eels team and the current Panthers squad, there are some striking similarities. Let’s hope that’s an omen of what is to come on Sunday and the Penrith Panthers roar through to a third Grand Final victory!

PENRITH PANTHERS 2023

GRAND FINAL SQUAD

THE MIGHTY PENRITH PANTHERS

PANTHERS PLAYER PROFILES

IVAN CLEARY Coach

IZACK TAGO DYLAN EDWARDS

Height: 183 cm DOB: 10/1/96 Age: 27 Weight: 94kg

Birthplace: Albury, NSW Nickname: Dyl

Debut Club: Penrith Panthers Date: 10/7/16

Opposition: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Round: 18

SUNIA TURUVA

Height: 181 cm DOB: 4/9/02 Age: 21 Weight: 88kg

Birthplace: Sydney, NSW Nickname: Tito Debut Club: Penrith Panthers Date: 3/6/22

Opposition: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Round: 13

Height: 184 cm DOB: 5/4/02 Age: 21 Weight: 93kg

Birthplace: Sydney, NSW Nickname: Tages Debut Club: Penrith Panthers Date: 29/5/21

Opposition: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Round: 12

JAROME LUAI STEPHEN CRICHTON

Height: 193 cm DOB: 22/9/00 Age: 23 Weight: 99kg

Birthplace: Apia, SAM Nickname: Critta

Debut Club: Penrith Panthers Date: 9/8/19

Opposition: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Round: 21

BRIAN TO’O

Height: 182 cm DOB: 18/8/98 Age: 25 Weight: 97kg

Birthplace: Sydney, NSW Nickname: Bizza Debut Club: Penrith

NATHAN CLEARY (C)

MOSES LEOTA

MITCH KENNY

JAMES FISHER-HARRIS

Height: 187 cm DOB: 5/1/96 Age: 27 Weight: 103kg

Birthplace: Rawene, NZ Nickname: Fish

Debut Club: Penrith Panthers Date: 5/3/16

Opposition: Canberra Raiders Round: 1

THE MIGHTY PENRITH PANTHERS

SCOTT SORENSEN

Height: 183 cm DOB: 16/3/93 Age: 30 Weight: 100kg

Birthplace: Sydney, NSW Nickname: Sorro Debut Club: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Date: 24/8/14

Opposition: Canberra Raiders Round: 24

TYRONE PEACHEY

Height: 183 cm DOB: 8/8/91 Age: 32 Weight: 93kg

Birthplace: Wellington, NSW Nickname: Peach Debut Club: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Date: 19/5/13

Opposition: Canberra Raiders Round: 10

LIAM MARTIN

Height: 183 cm DOB: 5/3/97 Age: 26 Weight: 103kg

Birthplace: Temora, NSW Nickname: Marto

Debut Club: Penrith Panthers Date: 30/3/19

Opposition: Melbourne Storm Round: 3

ISAAH YEO (C)

Height: 195 cm DOB: 6/11/94 Age: 28 Weight: 106kg

Birthplace: Dubbo, NSW Nickname: Yo-ee Debut Club: Penrith Panthers Date: 8/3/14

Opposition: Newcastle Knights Round: 1

MATTHEW EISENHUTH

Height: 197 cm DOB: 20/8/92 Age: 31 Weight: 111kg

Birthplace: Sydney, NSW Nickname: Eiso

Debut Club: Wests Tigers Date: 17/6/17

Opposition: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Round: 15

JACK COGGER

Height: 175 cm DOB: 5/8/97 Age: 26 Weight: 90kg

Birthplace: Greenacre, NSW Nickname: Coggs

Debut Club: Newcastle Knights Date: 15/5/16

Opposition: Cronulla-Sutherland Shark Round: 10

LINDSAY SMITH

Height: 194 cm DOB: 13/1/00 Age: 23 Weight: 106kg

Birthplace: Sydney, NSW Nickname: Larry Debut Club: Penrith Panthers Date: 4/6/21

Opposition: Wests Tigers Round: 13

ZAC HOSKING

Height: 198 cm DOB: 26/2/97 Age: 26 Weight: 97kg

Birthplace: Manly, NSW Nickname: Mule

Debut Club: Brisbane Broncos Date: 10/7/22

Opposition: St. George Illawarra Dragons Round: 17

SPENCER LENIU

Height: 183 cm DOB: 8/9/00 Age: 23 Weight: 110kg

Birthplace: Auckland, NZ Nickname:Debut Club: Penrith Panthers Date: 9/8/19

Opposition: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Round: 21

LUKE GARNER

Height: 190 cm DOB: 6/9/95 Age: 28 Weight: 94kg

Birthplace: - Nickname:Debut Club: Wests Tigers Date: 15/7/18

Opposition: St. George Illawarra Dragons Round: 18

TOM JENKINS

Height: 188 cm DOB: 16/3/01 Age: 22 Weight: 94kg

Birthplace: Boorowa, NSW Nickname: Milky

Debut Club: Penrith Panthers Date: 3/9/22

Opposition: North Qld Cowboys Round: 25

LUKE SOMMERTON

Debut Club: Penrith Panthers Date: 10/8/23

Opposition: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Round: 24

‘I’M BUILT DIFFERENT’: Mind over matter the key in Luai’s return

Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai believes his mindset has played the biggest part in his remarkable return from a shoulder injury ahead of preparing for the club’s fourthstraight grand final.

BY ALICIA NEWTON NRL REPORTER

LUAI got through 60 minutes in the preliminary final victory over the Storm on Friday night less than a month since dislocating his shoulder against the Eels in Round 26.

Every expert in the game has had their say on Luai’s injury, including physios and doctors from rival clubs or sports who believe it was a risk to put the Panthers star on the field in a grand final qualifier.

However, Panthers medical staff were always confident the damage done to Luai’s shoulder could be managed through the finals and while the livewire didn’t look 100 percent, it was enough to cause the Storm headaches.

“Tell the doctors I’m built different brother,” Luai said in response to calls he wouldn’t line up on Friday night.

“I didn’t really listen to the outside noise, there was always going to be a lot of that and I didn’t allow doubts to creep into my mind. I was always confident that I was going to be ready and put the work in.

“The boys would say I’m weird because that night [suffering the injury] I was saying I’d be back in two weeks and I didn’t even know what the damage was.

“They thought I was joking about it but I actually really believed that. I manifested and I think that belief was what got me back tonight.

“I didn’t let [re-injuring] that creep into my mind anyway. The tape restricts it from going out where you don’t want it to go, but in terms of range of movement, I’ve got full range.

“I knew I could get the job done and I got the reps throughout the week and was happy with how it went.”

Luai indicated he did not require a pain-killing injection to take the field as they cause him an upset stomach and may even avoid surgery in the off-season.

The 26-year-old won’t be available for Samoa in the Pacific Championships if he needs to go under the knife next month.

“I’m pretty good with pain and playing with it,” he said.

“Pain is only temporary in my mind and I had the boys’ backing and I’m glad we were able to get the job done and I was able to get an early mark as well.

“I was more proving to myself. I know I seem confident to everyone, but deep down I knew two nights ago that if I couldn’t get through that session and didn’t feel good then I had to drop my ego and put the team first.

“I came through the better side and knew I could get the job done.

“[Ivan] left it in my hands [to make a final call], which is pretty cool from a coach coming into a prelim.”

Meanwhile, Luai indicated he will make a call on his future following the season with the two-time premiership winner coming off contract at the end of 2024 and free to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1.

“It is [on the back burner] and I think it was important to make that call,” he said.

“You don’t come by grand finals and you want to limit every distraction that you can.

“I’m fully focused on what I need to do for this next week and making sure my mind and body’s right.”

PANTHER

PRIDE

PANTHERS TEAMLIST: GRAND FINAL

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has named his squad for Sunday night’s Grand Final against Brisbane Broncos.

BY PANTHERS MEDIA

THERE are no changes to the squad that beat the Storm last Friday night. The Panthers will wear the 2023 alternate kit for the match at Accor Stadium.

1. Dylan EDWARDS - sponsored by Capri Racing & Syndications

2. Sunia TURUVA - sponsored by Protech Locksmiths

3. Izack TAGO - sponsored by Fornari’s Interior Linings

4. Stephen CRICHTON - sponsored by Chardon & Abbott Home Loans

5. Brian TO’O - sponsored by Wisdom Dental & Denture Clinic

6. Jarome LUAI - sponsored by Café at Lewers

7. Nathan CLEARY (c) - sponsored by Granville Plastamasta

8. Moses LEOTA - sponsored by Innov8 Equipment

9. Mitch KENNY - sponsored by CC Tyres Penrith

10. James FISHER-HARRIS - sponsored by Wright Way Plumbing

11. Scott SORENSEN - sponsored by Montana Signs

12. Liam MARTIN - sponsored by You.Me.Brand.Now

13. Isaah YEO (c) - sponsored by Hix Group

14. Jack COGGER - sponsored by Chemtools

15. Lindsay SMITH - sponsored by Hertz

16. Spencer LENIU - sponsored by Potter Automotive

17. Luke GARNER - sponsored by Casella Express

18. Tyrone PEACHEY - sponsored by The

Garner chases history as full circle grand final moment awaits

Luke Garner has only ever experienced grand final day once in his career and it didn’t end well for the edge forward ahead of creating potential history with the Panthers on Sunday.

BY PANTHERS MEDIA

IT was 2015 when Garner came through Manly’s under-20s system alongside Tom Trbojevic and took on Penrith stars Jarome Luai, Moses Leota, James Fisher-Harris and Dylan Edwards in the previous Holden Cup grand final.

Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary missed the match, opting to represent the Australian Schoolboys side overseas but it did not matter with Luai and hooker Soni Luke starring in the decider.

Despite Garner scoring a try in the first half, the Panthers ran away with a 34-18 win - a result he hopes can be replicated eight years later in the decider against the Broncos on Sunday.

“They beat us comprehensively and you could tell a lot of those boys at the Panthers would kick on and play first grade,” Garner told NRL.com.

“It’s pretty cool now, we have a bit of a laugh about it. All those boys who played in the match remember it well.

“The day was a nerve-wracking experience but fun, even though we were on the wrong side of the scoreboard and lost.

“Being able to play in those games at a young age can help you as you get older. These boys around me now have been playing in grand finals for a long time.”

Garner and veteran Tyrone Peachey are on the verge of joining a rare group of players who have gone

from a club that claimed the wooden spoon to winning a premiership in 12 months.

Their departures from Wests Tigers last season set up a reunion with coach Ivan Cleary after playing under the premiership-winning coach previously.

Should either take the field in Cleary’s 17 on Sunday and taste victory, they could become the third player in the modern era behind Brenko Lee (2019-2020) and Harvey Howard (1999-2000) to go from cellar dwellers to premiership winners.

“Ivan’s turned me into a better footy player, along with guys like Ben Gardiner, Peter Wallace and Benny Harden,” Garner said.

“I’m a lot better than when I got here. They’ve instilled a lot of confidence in me and they believe in me.

“It probably hasn’t quite sunk in yet that we’re in the grand final. I’m sure it will with a few of the events we get through this week and the hype around it.

“Something every player wants to achieve is a premiership but the job isn’t done yet. One more game to go and it’s what we play for.”

Sporting Globe

19. Matt EISENHUTH - sponsored by We Love Kitchen

20. Zac HOSKING - sponsored by We Love Kitchen

21. Luke SOMMERTON - sponsored by We Love Kitchen

22. Tom JENKINS - sponsored by We Love Kitchen

Luke Garner in action for Manly against the Panthers in the 2015 grand final.

PANTHER PRIDE