Extra Time May 29

FRI 29 MAY 2015 Issue 013 PROUDLY INDEPENDENT

SIKA MANU POSTER INSIDE Hang Sika on your wall, Tweet us and you could win NRL tickets!

FAN OF THE WEEK CELEBRITY TIPSTERS STEVE HART FULL NRL TABLE

KEVIN KINGSTON Why the Battle of the West means so much

BARRETT GONE? Phil Gould responds to rumours of a coaching shake-up at the Panthers

New chapter in old rivalry

Printed on 100% recycled paper

PANTHERS V EELS

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Friday 29 May 2015 « the western weekender • extra time

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PANTHERS 1

Matt Moylan

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

Josh Mansour Waqa Blake Dallin Watene-Zelezniak David Simmons Jamie Soward Peter Wallace Nigel Plum James Segeyaro Sam McKendry Lewis Brown Issah Yeo Elijah Taylor Bryce Cartwright Jeremy Latimore Sika Manu Reagan Campbell-Gillard

EELS

FACT CHECK Ê Jamie Soward and Peter Wallace play just their third game together this season tonight Ê Josh Mansour also returns from injury Ê This is the 90th clash between the Panthers and Eels in first grade.

The Eels have won 53 of the games so far Peter Wallace

1

Reece Robinson

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

Semi Radradra Will Hopoate Brad Takairangi Ryan Morgan Corey Norman Chris Sandow Danny Wicks Nathan Peats Tim Mannah Manu Ma’u Tepai Moeroa Anthony Watmough Junior Paulo Joseph Paulo Daniel Alvaro Pauli Pauli

How the west will be won TROY DODDS @troydodds

T

he first time Penrith and Parramatta met in top flight rugby league was May 28, 1967.

Tonight, 48 years and one day later, they meet for the 90th time.

That first game saw a convincing win by the Eels over the newly formed Panthers at Cumberland Oval. Parramatta won 25-2 and Penrith’s Bob Landers was sent off. Yes, even back then, clashes between Penrith and Parramatta had plenty of emotion involved.

It wasn’t until the next year, on July 14 1968, that the Panthers finally overpowered the Eels in a premiership match – winning 14-12 at Penrith Park in front of 13,163 fans.

Since then, the Penrith and Parramatta story has taken many twists and turns but one thing hasn’t changed in the near

half century that these teams have been playing each other in first grade rugby league: neither side likes to lose against their neighbour.

For the record, Parramatta has won 53 of the 89 clashes so far, Penrith 35 and there’s been one draw.

In recent years, the Panthers have had the wood on the Eels, winning six of the last eight clashes and very much starting to emerge as the big brother in a contest that has always seemingly seen the Eels on top and Penrith rated as the underdogs.

Penrith’s transformation in recent years, and their good form of late, means they go into tonight’s game against their arch rivals as clear favourites.

But despite sitting last on the ladder, nobody should expect Parramatta to lay down in a match against their western Sydney counterparts. If anything, the agony of losing their last two matches in the dying moments – against the Warriors and Rabbitohs – puts them in good stead to step up a level against the Panthers tonight.

Penrith’s last hit out was an 11-10 win over

PANTHERS V EELS PEPPER STADIUM FRIDAY, MAY 29 • 7.45PM REFEREES: MATT CECCHIN AND GAVIN MORRIS TV: CHANNEL 9 LIVE 7.45PM RADIO: 2GB / ABC / TRIPLE M Manly and while the bye probably didn’t come at a great time in terms of building momentum, it did allow coach Ivan Cleary and the squad to take a step back, look at the season so far and plan for a strong run during this State of Origin period.

For the first time since round two, the Panthers will field their first choice halves combination tonight with Peter Wallace returning from injury to partner Jamie Soward in the halves.

Incredibly, the Panthers have used

something like nine halves combinations in 10 games this season – that’s an incredible statistic and to have won five from 10 is outstanding given those circumstances.

Ivan Cleary made the point after the game against Manly that the forever changing halves combination was part of the reason Penrith’s attack has looked clunky at times.

The return of Wallace won’t necessarily add any flair to Penrith’s attack, but it will fix that issue of the attack being less than fluid. Wallace is a great organiser and his return takes plenty of pressure off Jamie Soward, allowing him to run the plays that drove Penrith’s charge to the top four last season.

Like all clashes between these two clubs, expecting the unexpected is a must. However, I do think Penrith has the stronger squad on paper and with the Eels very much out of sorts when it comes to their playmakers, this has the potential to be a game in which the Panthers announce themselves to the rest of the competition.

TIP: PANTHERS BY 16

the western weekender • extra time » Friday 29 May 2015

MATCH PREVIEW

Friday 29 May 2015 « the western weekender • extra time

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PANTHER RUMBLINGS

SEND YOUR PANTHERS GOSSIP AT NEWS@WESTERNWEEKENDER.COM.AU

with the

Masked Panther

COACHING CHANGES ON THE CARDS?

Going nowhere: Panthers coach Ivan Cleary

» A major coaching shake-up could be on » The Penrith Panthers are almost certain » The Panthers have a new media manthe cards at the Panthers with Assistant Coach Trent Barrett set for a shock midseason switch to Manly. Fairfax Media is reporting that Barrett is on the verge of joining the Sea Eagles as an assistant to Geoff Toovey, who is under enormous pressure to keep his job. The reports come after rumours emerged that head coach Ivan Cleary was spotted having coffee with a “very influential Manly figure”, sparking speculation that Cleary himself may be in talks with the Sea Eagles.

Panthers boss Phil Gould emphatically hosed down the speculation. “Ivan Cleary is very happy at Panthers. He and his coaching team are doing a wonderful job.

I see no end point to his current tenure,” Gould told Extra Time. “Ivan still has a lot of work to do at this club. The idea of Ivan coaching anywhere other than Panthers has never been raised.” I understand that Panthers would not stand in the way of Barrett making a mid-season switch to Manly. It is known that Gould does not want to hinder the prospect of one of the club’s junior coaches earning a first grade spot. I’m also of the understanding that Cleary will soon extend his Penrith deal.

to play the New Zealand Warriors in Christchurch next season. The deal was originally set to start this year, leaving just 10 home games at Pepper Stadium, but the final details couldn’t be agreed upon. It’s understood all is now pretty much signed, sealed and delivered and we’ll see the Panthers taking a game to Christchurch in 2016.

» The Masked Panther is an ideas man, if

nothing else. If the Panthers are playing the Warriors in Christchurch next season, the NRL should consider a huge opportunity where the Panthers could play a “New Zealand double header”. For example, the Panthers could play the Warriors in Auckland on a Sunday afternoon, then the same two sides could back it up and play in Christchurch the following Friday or Saturday. It’s a great marketing move that could be sold to Penrith fans as a seven day New Zealand getaway seeing the two major cities – Auckland and Christchurch. It’s a great opportunity to sell travel packages and would be a great novelty that would attract a lot of interest in two otherwise normal club games.

ager, with Evan Sieff starting at the club last week. He replaces Emma Duxbury, who ‘resigned’ earlier this month. The real story surrounding Duxbury’s departure hasn’t been told but the Panthers will be hoping they can finally get some stability in this role – it’s been a revolving door for the last five years.

» Last weekend’s special fundraising

dinner for former Panthers player Ray Blacklock was a huge success. Ray has fallen on very tough times but as always, the rugby league community showed its strength with around 700 people attending the event. Panthers boss Phil Gould declared it the best rugby league function he’s ever attended.

» Jamie Soward has been battling a sore throat and cold this week – but he’ll be right to take on the Eels tonight.

» Phil Gould has denied speculation that he’s considering quitting the Panthers at the end of the year. Gould said he has no intention of leaving the club, and is enjoying his current role.

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FEATURE STORY

Soward ready for next gear He’s played two games since returning from injury but playmaker Jamie Soward says he’s still not back to 100 per cent fitness...

NATHAN TAYLOR natetaylor87

P

enrith Panthers five-eighth Jamie Soward says he’s happy to be back on the field and believes he should be back to his normal, brilliant self in the next few weeks.

Soward returned during Penrith’s loss to the Broncos earlier this month following eight weeks on the sideline recovering from much-needed back surgery.

Soward was in such desperate need of surgery that some mornings he struggled to get out of bed and had numbness in his legs.

“The back is all healed and I’m very happy with how the surgery went. I think in another game or two I should be back to normal but at the moment the body is feeling good,” Soward told Extra Time.

“There’s no discomfort, I think it was just a matter of getting some match fitness back. I had six weeks there where I couldn’t run, I just had to lie down. I got pretty good at PlayStation there for a while.”

During Soward’s absence, Penrith only managed two wins from six games – proving just how pivotal the former Origin fiveeighth is to the club’s chances of doing

Jamie Soward is back to his best. Photo: Melinda Jane something in this competition. Many of Soward’s teammates also often spoke of his importance and what he means to the side.

“Honestly, I don’t think it was just me being out. We lost a couple of our older guys and the young guys who came in did an outstanding job with the tough situations they were put in,” Soward said.

This Friday night Penrith will be looking for back to back wins when they return

home to take on the Parramatta Eels.

The Battle of the West blockbuster always draws a huge crowd to Penrith Stadium, with players, this week, finding it hard to contain their excitement.

“The buzz around the sheds this morning is something else,” Soward said.

“It’s a really nice vibe around town at the moment too. I think the excitement of getting players back and a Friday night game brings that.”

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KEV’S KORNER

WITH KEVIN KINGSTON

F THERE IS NO BETTER BATTLE

riday night at Pepper Stadium – is there a better setting for two great rivals to go head-to-head? I have been on both sides of the fence for the Battle of the West, where bragging rights are up for grabs, and the atmosphere is always something special.

The Eels don’t look too flash at the moment, very inconsistent, but they can bring out a good game every now and then, which makes me a bit nervous.

In the last five years there have been some epic battles. A couple of golden point finishes spring to mind which have the diehard fans on the edge of their seat and the coaches pulling their hair out.

You can pretty much throw the form guide out the window when it comes to the Penrith vs Parramatta game. Both teams have a burning desire to do whatever it takes to win this one.

Turn your minds back to round 19, 2011, with both teams struggling for form. It was Nathan Hindmarsh’s 300th NRL game and we got to play party poopers.

Sorry Hindy!

We traded tries early with both teams desperate for a win. 12-all at half time said it all. Jarryd Hayne broke the game open with some brilliant touches setting up a couple of tries. In the back of my mind I thought, ‘We can’t let these blokes run away with this one’. Then Lachlan Coote came up with a game-changing hit against the run of play and set up Dave Simmons for his second try. Inspirational stuff which lifted the whole team! Of course the Eels weren’t done yet – scoring off a

The Panthers and Eels in action in 2014. Photo: Melinda Jane nothing grubber which popped into Casey McGuire’s hands. The score was 22-16 to the Eels. Then came one of the greatest finishes I’ve been involved with. We charged down the ball and forced a turnover with 15 seconds to go. They thought they had won it. With just two seconds left and desperate to score we threw the ball around with no real structure, just looking for space. The ball went from one side of the field to the other and ended up in Michael Jennings’ hands. With some fancy footwork and a kick, Lachlan Coote dived on the loose ball and got us back in the game. It was golden point time.

Early in golden point Parramatta had all the ball and missed two shots at a field goal. After 85 minutes of footy we shifted in yardage to find space, Dave Simmons made a half-break and got us in field goal position. Luke Walsh had all the time in the world, and being one of the best field goal experts, he slotted it easily. Great finish to an epic game!

Another memorable chapter in Battle of the West history will be written on Friday night. You have no excuses to miss this one. Secure your tickets now, ready your Penrith colours and get pumped for another epic showdown.

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35 the western weekender • extra time » Friday 29 May 2015

FEATURE STORY

Waqa’s wild ride to the top He’s one of the big stars on the rise at Penrith, but Waqa Blake admits that playing first grade is tougher than he ever imagined...

NATHAN TAYLOR natetaylor87

R

ookie Panthers centre Waqa Blake has revealed the challenges of playing first grade footy every week.

After lighting it up for a number of years in the Holden Cup and NSW Cup – winning premierships in both – the 20-year-old made his highly-anticipated NRL debut back in Round 5 during Penrith’s loss to North Queensland.

While injuries to fellow centres Jamal Idris and Dean Whare have kept him in the side each week, finding his feet in the best competition in the world – no matter how much potential you have – hasn’t been easy.

“I’m still slowly getting there… the NRL is very physical, very quick and I’m still trying to get used to it. You have to get everything right,” Blake told Extra Time.

“When you make the step up, everyone has to do their job – that’s what I’ve found different from NSW Cup to the NRL.” Blake has scored a respectable two tries in six games but could’ve had a third last week against the Sea Eagles if he managed to catch a beautiful pass from Matt Moylan that would’ve put him under the posts.

Waqa Blake playing against the Sharks last month Blake said mistakes feel a lot worse when they happen in first grade.

“That could’ve been six points under the posts. It was silly for me to drop it… I did take it hard,” he said.

Fortunately for Blake and his transition into the NRL, he has a number of teammates that are more than willing to give him a helping hand.

“My opposite centre Dean Whare has been a great mentor. I played with him

in my first game but ever since then he’s been injured,” Blake said.

“Everyone’s been a good help, even Jamie Soward out there on the left edge.”

While Blake may think he’s finding the adjustment to NRL life difficult, many others in higher places disagree.

Earlier this month, Blake made his representative debut when he was selected in Brad Fittler’s City Origin team after just a handful of games.

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Friday 29 May 2015 « the western weekender • extra time

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday 29 May 2015

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Friday 29 May 2015 « the western weekender • extra time

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Penrith’s Number One Newspaper for more than two decades Proudly reaching more Penrith residents than any other community newspaper.

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday 29 May 2015

HART TO HART

WITH STEVE HART

S

SHOULD ORIGIN STAND ALONE?

eems the same old discussion comes up every year around this time.

State of Origin – to stand alone or not to stand alone?

Should rugby league’s jewel in the crown have its own weekend?

Let’s examine briefly both sides of the debate.

In the corner FOR we have the argument that NRL games are sub-standard during the Origin period and that crowds are low.

Trying to sell NRL games without Origin stars is like trying to sell tickets to a Rolling Stones concert without Mick and Keith.

Plus Origin is a showpiece and deserves to be put on a pedestal.

All great points!

Ladies and gentlemen in the corner AGAINST we have Channel Nine boss David Gyngell saying, “If it ain’t broke don’t try and fix it”!

Gyngell claims Origin on a Wednesday night is a major factor to big crowds and TV audiences.

To back him up you might point to 2001 when Origin actually had its own weekend with games played on a Sunday night. It was scrapped due to complaints that there wasn’t enough footy on the weekend.

Seems arguments on both sides are valid.

Perhaps thinking outside the square is needed for this debate.

Among the more credible solutions, we’ve heard some suggestions that Origin could be played on a Monday night giving players more time to back up but still

Fans often complain about the quality of NRL matches during Origin they’d be missing from the preceding weekend, so I don’t know about that one.

A few years ago a whacky idea was put forward for a five week mid-season competition that could include novelty teams like an NYC representative team, a combined NRL-based England side, and/ or a Papua New Guinea or Pacific Islander side as well as the 16 club teams.

My head is spinning, too whacky for me and most league fans I think.

So sure games on pre-Origin weekends might not be the best standard but it’s better than no games at all, and there’s a certain intrigue for the competition that goes with it.

How good was that Canterbury vs Canberra game last weekend?

You know what I’m going with?

It works just fine.

Let’s leave it alone.

Sorry I brought it up!

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Friday 29 May 2015 « the western weekender • extra time

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NRL LADDER & FIXTURES CLUB

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Extra Time Issue Number 013 PRINTED BY Spotpress Pty Ltd / PRODUCED BY The Western Weekender EDITOR Troy Dodds / 4722 2998 / troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au COVER PHOTO: Bryce Cartwright at training SALES MANAGER Simon Gould / 4722 2998 simon.gould@westernweekender.com.au

ROUND 12 Panthers v Eels Friday, May 29, 7.45pm Pepper Stadium Titans v Rabbitohs Saturday, May 30, 3pm Cbus Super Stadium Raiders v Broncos Saturday, May 30, 5.30pm GIO Stadium Cowboys v Sea Eagles Saturday, May 30, 7.30pm 1300 Smiles Stadium Warriors v Knights Sunday, May 31, 2pm Mt Smart Stadium Dragons v Sharks Sunday, May 31, 4pm WIN Jubilee Oval Roosters v Storm Monday, June 1, 7pm Allianz Stadium BYES Bulldogs Wests Tigers

FAN OF THE WEEK Years supporting the Panthers: 24 years.

Favourite current Panther and exPanther? Jamie Soward and Rhys Faulconbridge Wesser.

Why do you support the Panthers?

My dad encouraged me to support the local team when the family moved to Londonderry in 1991. It’s worked out better than supporting the Parramatta Eels like him and mum!

What’s your best Panthers memory? Too young for 1991, but the 2003 premiership.

What’s your prized piece of Panthers memorabilia that you’d never sell? ‘That Tackle’ poster signed by Brought to you by…

Scott Sattler.

If the Panthers won the 2015 Grand Final, how would you react? Probably cry. I’m a crier!

MICHAEL GREGSON

THE DEALS ON THE BUS GO ROUND AND ROUND

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BY NATHAN TAYLOR

@natetaylor87

LADDER POSITIONS MEAN NOTHING AS ARCH RIVALS CLASH IN BATTLE OF THE WEST Despite where both sides sit on the competition ladder, tonight’s Holden Cup fixture between the competition leading Penrith Panthers and the third last-placed Parramatta Eels should be an absolute cracker.

Penrith’s form has been outstanding for most of the year, winning their last six games, while the Eels have struggled to find any sort of traction so far this season, unable to win their last five.

But clashes between Penrith and Parramatta have never been about where both sides sit on the premiership table – it’s about so much more.

It’s about which young side has the best junior talent, which supporter base has the most passion and fire, and most importantly, which club is the best in the west.

So far, Penrith are proving they’re that team with eight wins to their name while Parramatta sit on just three wins after 11 rounds.

The Panthers will come into this Friday night’s game feeling refreshed and hungry having enjoyed a near two week break off, following a bye last round.

Parramatta, on other hand, won’t be as refreshed, having played the Rabbitohs in a tough encounter last Friday night

at ANZ Stadium. Parramatta were down 26-12 to the Rabbitohs before storming home with a wet sail late in the second half.

The Eels managed to draw level with a try in the dying minutes but unfortunately for Parramatta fans, the conversion was missed leaving the game tied at 26-all.

Penrith have named a very strong side for the clash with the only major omission being Robert Jennings, who’s been named in Penrith’s NSW Cup side this weekend.

Fullback Brent Naden will captain the side while half Soni Luke will shift to hooker.

For the Eels, they’ve made several changes to the side that met the Rabbitohs last Friday.

Parramatta fullback Bevan French and halfback Zach Dockar-Clay will return to the side after stints with the Wentworthville Magpies.

Both Penrith and Parramatta can expect a bumper crowd this Friday night as fans arrive early to secure their seat for the first grade blockbuster later that evening.

Kick off between the Eels and Panthers is at 5.30pm.

NSW CUP

BY STEW MOSES

@TheRiffMarn

BYE THE BEST THING FOR TIRED PANTHERS AS THEY LOOK TO RETURN TO THE WINNERS CIRCLE The Panthers having had the first of two scheduled competition byes, are set to resume their defence of the NSW Cup when they travel to Brookvale Oval to take on a Manly side that would still be smarting from their Round 6 loss at Pepper Stadium, 24-16.

With the loss last start against the then bottom of the table North Sydney Bears, the bye has come at a good time for the majority of Penrith’s 17 who were starting to look jaded especially in attack in recent weeks, which isn’t surprising given the level of work in defence the Panthers have had to exert.

Penrith now turn their attention to this Saturday’s clash with 10th-placed Manly, who have continued to struggle in 2015 since their last encounter back in Round 6. Having been beaten by a weakened Bears outfit two weeks ago there is no room for complacency going into this clash against another lowly ranked side for the Panthers.

Penrith’s attack is now ranked 11th among the 12 teams but their defence remains ranked first, which is reflective of the amount of defence the Panthers have been required to do in recent games.

The Sea Eagles on the other hand are ranked seventh in attack but the differ-

ence between the teams is ultimately the defence with Manly having conceded more points in defence than any other team, averaging over 29 points per game, almost twice that of the competition’s best defence, Penrith, who average less than 16 points per game.

Unlike Penrith, Manly played a home game away from home last Saturday, falling to the Illawarra Cutters 38-18. This weekend’s NSW Cup game versus Penrith will represent the first time in a long time that a non-NRL game has taken place at Brookvale Oval.

In team news, Manly have named a strong side, including the likes of David Williams, Brayden Williame, Tony Satini, Jayden Hodges, Tyson Andrews and Siosaia Vave.

Conversely Penrith have been boosted by the return from injury of Nathan Smith and Adrian Davis for their clash with Manly, while Robert Jennings has served his purpose in the Holden Cup and returns in the centres in place of Paul Simona. In other team news, Smith’s return from injury means that Brendan Attwood will replace Josh Tangitau at hooker, while Will Smith moves into the halves with rising half, Sam Scarlett dropping back to a five man bench.

Maccas Concreting ALL ASPECTS OF CONCRETING

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday 29 May 2015

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41

Friday 29 May 2015 « the western weekender • extra time

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ALL PRICES INCLUDE GST • 5 YEAR WARRANTY Based on a back-to-back install, single storey

Based on a back-to-back install, single storey

Reverse Cycle Inverters FULLY INSTALLED 2.5Kw $1690 3.5Kw $1930 5Kw $2380 7Kw $2790 8.5Kw $3380

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AIR CONDITIONING

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