Western Weekender Feb 15

Page 1

ENTERTAINMENT

LOCAL SPORT

LAURA JAYES

24 page magazine inside

STARTS ON PAGE 72

EXCLUSIVE OPINION COLUMN

SISTERS KNOW HOW TO ROCK

WANDERERS INTO SECOND SPOT

LABOR PAINS ARE GROWING

FEBRUARY 15 2013 ISSUE 1090

PROUDLY INDEPENDENT CIRCULATION: 58,865

THE HEARTBEAT OF PENRITH

POWER SHOCK One of Penrith’s greatest tourism icons, the Whitewater Stadium, is struggling with electricity price increases, forcing its management to even consider the viability of purchasing their own generator. Jack Hodge, Penrith Whitewater Stadium Manager, said that the tourism hot spot and former Olympic venue has seen an increase in electricity prices both due to the carbon tax and increasing network costs.

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FORGOTTEN FIVE Under pressure: National Rugby League CEO, David Smith, fronts a press conference on Tuesday morning. Photo: Vanessa Watson.

Exclusive: The locals without water

Code in a corner

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Panthers caught up in league’s mystery drug drama NATHAN TAYLOR

T

he Penrith Panthers were this week thrown into the corner of a boxing ring, forced to defend their reputation despite not knowing what punches are coming. In an extraordinary week in rugby league, Panthers boss Phil Gould was informed on Monday evening by NRL Chief Executive David Smith that Penrith was one of six NRL clubs “implicated or referred to” in the Australian Crime Commission’s (ACC) Project Aperio Report into the use of banned substances in sport. However, despite being named in the report,

no specific player names were mentioned and the Panthers are still in the dark about exactly what could be alleged. The ACC says it cannot name individuals for legal reasons and to protect reputations and ensure fair trials. But that didn’t stop the ACC and the Federal Government from holding a very public press conference last Thursday, February 7, where the spotlight was thrown onto sport as a whole, creating a domino affect that has begun to tarnish Australia’s proud sporting reputation around the world. The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) is now carrying out investigations.

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At a press conference on Tuesday morning, Mr Smith said he understood the frustrations of players, clubs and fans but legally wasn’t allowed to speculate on the investigation. “I can’t pre-judge how long it will take,” Mr Smith told reporters. “It is imperative that everyone respects the proper process that allows ASADA and any other agency the chance to investigate and which addresses the rights of players and the clubs.” Panthers is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation and sources close to the club have told the Weekender that officials are confident there will be no “bombshell” revelations. Continues page 3

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