Extra Time July 4

FRI 4 JUL 2014 • Issue 018

PROUDLY INDEPENDENT

Printed on 100% recycled paper

FLASHBACK The incredible comeback we’ll never forget + PANTHER RUMBLINGS + LUKE PRIDDIS + LOWER GRADES + CHEERLEADER OF THE YEAR

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PREVIEW

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

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PENRITH PANTHERS Matt Moylan Josh Mansour Dean Whare Jamal Idris Kevin Naiqama Jamie Soward Peter Wallace (c) Sam McKendry James Segeyaro Brent Kite Sika Manu Elijah Taylor Adam Docker Tyrone Peachey Jeremy Latimore Lewis Brown Nigel Plum

WESTS TIGERS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Blake Austin David Nofoaluma Keith Lulia Chris Lawrence Pat Richards Braith Anasta Luke Brooks Martin Taupau Joel Luani Keith Galloway Curtis Sironen Bodene Thompson Adam Blair Dene Halatau Ava Seumanufagai Sitaleki Akauola Jach Buchanan

Peter Wallace will be a key for the Panthers this Sunday

Fierce battle of the big cats TROY DODDS

@troydodds

Penrith Panthers v Wests Tigers Kick-off: SUN 6/7 • 3.00PM Leichhardt Oval Referees: Shayne Hayne and Alan Shortall

Friday 4 July 2014 the western weekender

TV: Channel 9 4.00pm Radio: Triple M Live 3.00pm

B

elieve it or not, Penrith haven’t beaten the Wests Tigers since April 2010 with the side staring down the barrel of an eighth straight loss to the merged club should they not emerge victorious at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday afternoon.

The last time these two sides met (outside of a pre-season trial in Camden back in February) was more than a year ago and on that day, the Panthers gave up an 18-8 lead to go down 20-18 at Penrith Stadium.

It was the type of game Penrith wouldn’t

lose in 2014, perhaps a sign of just how much change has gone through the Panthers camp in the last year.

Another sign of how much has changed is the fact that only one player – Sam McKendry – remains from the last Penrith side to beat the Tigers.

Tim Grant and Kevin Kingston were there, too, but both now find themselves in reserve grade, unable to get back into the top squad.

Sunday’s game is important for both clubs in the context of the overall season.

For the Panthers, last Sunday’s loss to the Warriors brought the side back down to Earth and with the competition lead now surrendered, the mission is to remain in the top four and to stay clear of sides like the Rabbitohs and Roosters who will both win more games than they’ll lose at the back end of the season.

For Wests Tigers, a win would not only keep them in the top eight but would see them join Penrith on 22 competition points, and leave them potentially just one win from the top of the competition ladder depending on the result of tonight’s clash between the Sea Eagles and Bulldogs.

Only a poor for and against record is keep-

ing the Tigers out of the top four at the moment, and the side showed last week just how committed they are this season by holding on against Canberra despite everything going against them.

They’ll need to show a similar determination this Sunday as there’s no doubt the side is under strength.

The Tigers will be without their inspirational captain Robbie Farah due to Origin commitments, with Aaron Woods also in camp with the Blues.

A serious knee injury to James Tedesco suffered in the opening seconds of the win over the Raiders also adds to the woes of the Tigers this Sunday and truly tests their depth.

Penrith is not without problems either, with Jamie Soward fighting to be fit for the game after injuring his ankle last Sunday.

The injury is not as bad as first thought but it’s unlikely he’ll play against the Tigers.

Penrith’s loss to the Warriors last weekend was hardly embarrassing and in fact, minus a couple of brain explosions in the second half Penrith could have and probably should have won the game. The side lost a little bit of direction when Soward went off just before half-time, and never

seemed to have control in the second half despite Peter Wallace doing his best to steady the ship.

Wallace must look back to the game against Melbourne in round two to find inspiration when playing without his partner in crime in the halves, though on that occasion he did have Isaac John with him to ease some of the pressure.

Even if Soward does play on Sunday, he won’t be 100 per cent right and Wallace will need to take the lead.

Jamal Idris was a welcome return to the top grade last weekend and he was like a dog with a bone for much of the game – hopefully his stint on the sideline has given him the time he needed to focus on football again, and he’ll only get better with another run or two under his belt.

Coach Cleary knows just how important this game is – a win could get things back on track after the slip-up in New Zealand last week, while a loss could start to really expose some worrying signs for the side, particularly with games against Brisbane and the Roosters coming up.

If Penrith can score early and silence the Leichhardt crowd, it’ll go a long way to securing a win. Tip: Panthers by 6.

CHEERLEADER OF THE YEAR

The lucky girl crowned the Extra Time Cheerleader of the Year will be featured on the cover of our final edition of the year, and gets a $1,000 JB Hi-Fi voucher thanks to the Penrith Homemaker Centre. Plus, the winning cheerleader gets 10 Hoyts movie tickets and a professional photo shoot with the Weekender photographer SMS cost is a maximum of 55 cents. The winner of tickets to the next Penrith Panthers home game is selected at random from all entries. This competition is run under NSW Permit No LTPM/14/00047. Full terms and conditions are available from www.westernweekender. com.au or from Western Weekender reception.

Occupation: Bartender Favourite Panther: Peter Wallace If you could go on ANY reality show, which one would it be? ‘Survivor’ If you could take 3 things to a deserted island, what would you take and why?

Lounge chair, a Pina Colada and my best friend Which celebrity would you like to take on a hot date? Channing Tatum What’s your favourite pig-out spot? Hog’s Breath What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you whilst cheering/ dancing? Being on TV screaming and jumping when everyone else was sitting down quietly If you could morph into any animal, which would you chose and why?

A sloth because how good is laying down?

VOTE FOR DANIELLE L: SMS DANIELLE TO 19 19 18

Danielle L, 20 Occupation: Law Student Favourite Panther: Matt Moylan If you could go on ANY reality show, which one would it be? ‘Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Search’ If you could take 3 things to a deserted island, what would you take and why?

My best friend, a boat to get out of there and food Which celebrity would you like to take on a hot date? Joseph Gordon-Levitt What’s your favourite pig-out spot? Pancakes on the Rocks What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you whilst cheering/ dancing? In Round 7 against the Titans, my top came undone once during the dance and then again on the sideline when they scored the first try If you could morph into any animal, which would you chose and why?

A Panther because they’re killing it just like our boys this year!

extra time

Each week, Extra Time profiles three cheerleaders from the Penrith Panthers cheer squad. Vote for your favourite for your chance to win two tickets to the next Panthers home game!

Voting concludes at 11.59pm on Friday, July 11. The cheerleader with the most votes will progress through to the semi-finals later in the year, and have the chance to take out the ultimate prize!

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VOTE FOR NAT S: SMS NAT TO 19 19 18

Nat S, 21 Occupation: Client Liaison at Blacktown Sportspark Favourite Panther: Jamal Idris If you could go on ANY reality show, which one would it be? ‘The Amazing Race’ If you could take 3 things to a deserted island, what would you take and why?

Water, a good book, hammock Which celebrity would you like to take on a hot date? Channing Tatum What’s your favourite pig-out spot? Outback Steakhouse What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you whilst cheering/ dancing? When I forgot the routine, so I improvised with my own acrobatic tricks If you could morph into any animal, which would you chose and why?

A cat because everyone wants nine lives

VOTE FOR KIRSTEN C: SMS KIRSTEN TO 19 19 18

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Sam McKendry enjoying a laugh with Extra Time’s Nathan Taylor. Photo: Melinda Jane and we’re playing for each other as well.”

The resurgent McKendry is enjoying life so much at the moment that he’s decided to open up his own business alongside fellow Kiwi teammate Lewis Brown called Nutrition Station.

The franchised business, set to open in Emu Plains in August, will delve into the health food craze selling shakes, coffee,

more than just homebrew

sandwiches and other healthy snacks to locals and tourists alike.

But don’t expect McKendry to be slicing and dicing up salad any time soon.

“I’ll pay someone to be the manager, I think,” he laughed.

McKendry even entered the wild world of Twitter last week as an added promotional tool for Nutrition Station.

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He’s opening a new local business and enjoying his football more than ever, and Sam McKendry says things are “sweet” in terms of his future at the Penrith Panthers

long with close friend Tim Grant, Sam McKendry is one of Penrith’s longest serving players. He’s endured some of the club’s darkest days and also some of the side’s better moments.

While over the past few years many of McKendry’s high profile ex-teammates have left the foot of the Mountains for one reason or another, the soon-to-be 25-yearold decided to stick it out and boy, is he glad he’s done just that.

“I knew our time would come, I always felt it would,” McKendry told Extra Time.

While McKendry’s optimism is very refreshing to hear, earlier this year he was the subject of rumours of a potential move to the Newcastle Knights, due to ongoing salary cap pressures at Penrith.

His friend Tim Grant was also caught up in those same rumours, and while Grant has since decided to move on to South Sydney next season, McKendry is rather glad everything worked out on his end, and he was allowed to stay.

“Everything is sweet now,” McKendry admitted.

“I’m enjoying my footy and it’s good when you’re winning as well. We’re playing as a team and momentum is on our side. Our new players have helped a lot

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NATHAN TAYLOR

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McKendry settles his future A

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PRIDDO'S POINT LUKE PRIDDIS

Luke Priddis is a former Panthers player who won the Clive Churchill Medal in 2003

Players need to be more aware

Origin III still has meaning

Whether you agree or disagree with the Sharks’ decision to sack Todd Carney, costing him near on three million dollars, the question is what possesses someone to do what he did let alone have someone watch and take a photo of him doing it.

I continue to tell young players that I am personally involved with, the game and the media surrounding the game has significantly changed and as a player you need to understand out in public whether in an official club promotional role or personal social time, you will never be off duty. If you can’t accept that then you are not mature enough to be involved in the game.

In what was most likely Carney’s last NRL game the way the Sharks came from 22 points down to beat the Broncos in Brisbane was outstanding. No doubt the Broncos turned off but given the pressure on the Sharks through their inability to score, they certainly had to be commended for their efforts and Carney certainly played a big role in that and will surely be missed for the remainder of the season.

The Sharks missed out on Benji Marshall so really must find an attacking player to help fill that void sooner rather than later as their survival depends on it.

I believe that Friday night we saw the competition favourites in the Sea Eagles. The way they ground out a significant win over the Roosters and have key players still to return only enhances their position moving through the second half of the year towards the semi-finals. What sides are going to be able to step up to their level is the question with sides like the Rabbitohs and Storm faltering and looking a long way off the pace.

Unfortunately the Panthers couldn’t continue their run against the Warriors. Without Jamie Soward their second half was very disappointing despite a solid return from big Jamal. The senior players in the side need to be stronger in this second half of the season as the youth in the side will start to feel the length and intensity of the season.

I can’t wait for State of Origin III this Wednesday night and here’s why…

There’s been a lot of talk around of late that because Origin III is a dead rubber that there may not be the same intensity that we saw in games one or two.

I’ve spoken to a few Origin players off-air as well as on ‘The Footy Show’ recently and they say it would detract so much from what they’ve managed to do if they lost this third game. I think the intensity at camp could be more intense this time around than the previous two camps.

Blues forward Aaron Woods said on Monday that no one wants to go up to Brisbane and lift up the trophy, celebrate the win, if they’re going to lose. I think we’ll see an even hungrier Blues side go up to Suncorp Stadium for this third match. I also think Queensland will be livid they’ve lost the series and will want to come back and absolutely smash the Blues. I think this game will be the most intense and hardest fought games in a long time. There’s so much pride on the line.

I’m stoked the Blues have named Josh Morris to return to the side for Origin III. After what he did in Origin I it will be very special to have him back on the field.

The only negative part of Origin II and the Blues winning was thinking about the injured guys that got them there and couldn’t line up and play.

Robbie Farah made a good point the other day when he said that 70 players have played for the Blues over the past eight years during all the losses, and that every single one of them has played a part in getting the team to where it is today.

On another note, I would have loved to have seen Penrith’s Josh Mansour make Origin this year especially given how the team is going and his form in general. He was unlucky to miss out. Blues coach Laurie Daley has made all the right choices so far in this series, but I would’ve loved to have seen Mansour there.

MOMENT WITH MOLAN ERIN MOLAN @Erin_Molan

See Erin on ‘The Footy Show’ every Thursday night on Channel 9 at 8.30pm

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THE DEALS ON THE BUS GO ROUND AND ROUND

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NRL LADDER Club

F

A

+/- Pts

PD

W

D

L

B

1 Sea Eagles

14

10

0

4

2

314 228 +86 24

ROUND 17

2 Panthers

14

9

0

5

2

299 234 +65 22

Bulldogs v Sea Eagles

3 Bulldogs

14

9

0

5

2

281 224 +57 22

Friday 7.45pm ANZ Stadium

4 Rabbitohs

15

9

0

6

1

345 229 +116 20

5 Roosters

15

9

0

6

1

347 241 +106 20

6 W. Tigers

14

8

0

6

2

280 312 -32

7 Broncos

15

8

0

7

1

328 251 +77 18

Roosters v Sharks

8 Warriors

15

8

0

7

1

337 315 +22 18

9 Storm

15

8

0

7

1

310 342 -32

18

Saturday 7.30pm Allianz Stadium

10 Eels

15

8

0

7

1

321 355 -34

18

11 Cowboys

15

7

0

8

1

330 267 +63 16

12 Dragons

15

7

0

8

1

276 333 -57

16

13 Titans

14

6

0

8

2

235 297 -62

16

14 Knights

15

4

0

11

1

250 347 -97 10

Monday 7.00pm ANZ Stadium

15 Raiders

15

4

0

11

1

272 391 -119 10

QLD v NSW

16 Sharks

14

3

0

11

2

179 338 -159 10

Wednesday 8.00pm Suncorp Stadium

Dragons v Cowboys Saturday 5.30pm Kogarah Oval

20

Wests Tigers v Panthers Sunday 3.00pm Leichhardt Oval

Rabbitohs v Titans

Jamal Idris After a short break, Jamal Idris is back in first grade and showing his powerful moves in both attack and defence

Extra Time Issue Number 018 PRINTED BY Spotpress Pty Ltd / PRODUCED BY The Western Weekender EDITOR Troy Dodds / 4722 2998 / troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au CONTRIBUTORS Nathan Taylor / Luke Priddis / Yvonne Purtell / Erin Molan

Keep up to date with the Panthers on Facebook

SALES MANAGER Simon Gould / 4722 2998 simon.gould@westernweekender.com.au

Log on to: www.facebook.com/unofficialpenrithpanthers

Best moment in the NRL: Playing for Australia or Origin Worst moment in the NRL: Losing the semi-final to Parramatta in 2009 Favourite team growing up: Broncos and Souths Closest teammate: Jamie Soward Sporting idol: Carl Lewis One player you wished you’d played with past or present: John Cartwright

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Kite to celebrate 300 games

with the Masked Panther

Send your Panthers gossip at news@westernweekender.com.au

June 30 came and went this week and Tim Grant remains a Panther until the end of the season. It had been rumoured some weeks back that the Panthers may release Grant early to join the Rabbitohs for the rest of the year, especially given he’s not playing first grade at the moment. But it appears those rumours came to nothing and Grant will now play

Meanwhile, I’d like to congratulate Jamie Soward on how he handled himself after the game last Sunday.

Despite being on crutches and obviously worried about his short term future on the field, he stuck around to take photos with fans at Mount Smart Stadium and did it with a smile.

The NRL will make a $1 donation for every fan who attends any Telstra Premiership game in Round 19 to assist injured Newcastle Knights player, Alex McKinnon. The Panthers are away that weekend against the defending premiers Sydney. “Wherever I go, people are moved by Alex’s spirit and determination and they want to do their bit to help him,” NRL CEO Dave Smith said. “The rugby league community has already offered Alex a job for life and we believe he has a huge contribution to make to our game. But now we are giving the fans a chance to show their support through the RiseForAlex round – and every supporter will be able to help him, just by turning up to see their team play.”

NATHAN TAYLOR

9 @natetaylor87

Only one Panthers team came home with smiles on their faces after a mixed bag of results in New Zealand last weekend.

And it was Penrith’s first placed NSW Cup team, who once again proved to never die wondering, when they pulled off a remarkable win against the Warriors last Sunday.

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PANTHER RUMBLINGS

He hasn’t been a Panther for long but Brent Kite will still get plenty of praise at our next home game after joining a very exclusive club. Kite plays his 300th first grade game this weekend against the Tigers, with the vast majority of those matches being with the Sea Eagles.

Penrith are planning to celebrate Kite’s achievement when the Panthers meet the Broncos at home next Monday night.

Whilst Kite is now in the latter stage of his career and his best form is probably behind him, I understand that he has instilled some quality leadership and guidance into the playing group since arriving at the Panthers.

Lower GRADES

Wes Naiqama Penrith’s recruitment for 2015 is essentially over, with it now very unlikely that anyone else will be added to the squad apart from possibly Mose Masoe, which we reported a few weeks ago. There may still be the odd re-signing to come but the focus for the Panthers is now on 2016 and who they need to re-sign and perhaps bring into the club.

Brent Kite plays his 300th first grade game this weekend. Photo: Melinda Jane out the remainder of the season with Penrith – most likely in the NSW Cup unless injury hits the forwards.

Some good news on the injury front with Jamie Soward’s ankle injury not as bad as first thought. He had scans on Monday and is hopeful of returning either this weekend or next.

The Todd Carney news this week was obviously very disturbing but is the latest in a long list of problems at Cronulla. How times have changed just in the last few years. When Luke Lewis, Wade Graham and Michael Gordon headed to the Shire, the Panthers were struggling on and off the field and the Sharks looked like they may not be too far off finally claiming their first premiership. Now, the Sharks sit on the bottom of the table with the ASADA drama still hanging over their head, a lack of corporate support, poor management structure and questionable player behaviour. Penrith on the other hand sit in second place on the ladder and are in an incredible position off the field as well.

After leading at the break 6-4, the Panthers were down 14-6 in the final 10 minutes of the game before one of the best come from behind wins of the season took place. It all started in 73rd minute when centre Kevin Naiqama threw a cut out pass to winger Eto Nabuli who sprinted 40 metres, bumping off two defenders on his way to score. A Wes Naiqama conversion put the Panthers two points behind with just five to go.

Not long after the Panthers were awarded a gift two points via a penalty goal after half Tom Humble was taken out mid-air after a kick. The scores were then level at 14-all. But the best try of the day came in the final minute when, 50 metres out, Liam Ayoub took the ball from dummy half and sent it left where it passed through the hands of a number of players before Nabuli unleashed a beautiful offload to Wes Naiqama who flicked it to Kevin Kingston for the match-winning try.

The 20-14 win was Penrith’s ninth straight. Meanwhile, Penrith’s Holden Cup side went down to the Warriors 30-13.

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PANTHERS FLASHBACK

JUNIORS @penrith_juniors

16 players sent off Vince Lombardi, an American Football Coach once said: “Football is like life… it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard-work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority”.

What happened in our junior league last weekend? Was there a full moon? We had 16 players sent from the field of play from our U14s to A-Grade for a variety of reasons but one of the main offences was the use of offensive language towards an official, in particular the referee. Our game needs referees... referees need our game, without both parties we don’t have competitions. Players need to remember, if they are convicted of using offensive language towards a match official, not only do they receive a penalty for the offence but can also lose three competition points for their team. Whilst players may not always agree with a refereeing decision, the words above: ‘respect for authority’ need to be adhered to.

On another note, Glenmore Park saw a large crowd down at Ched Towns Reserve last weekend with the ‘cameo appearance’ of Petero Civoniceva. Well it wasn’t so ‘cameo’ with Petero playing a large part of the game. By all reports Petero spent some time down at training during the week prior to his game and made a point of going around to all the Glenmore Park teams. What a great ambassador for the game. He didn’t play too bad either!

Thank you to the Brothers and Wentworthville TRY-TIME players and their families who took their program to Quakers Hill JRL club as an exhibition to showcase their program. The interest in the programs is growing each week and if anyone is interested in the Blacktown area please contact the Quakers Hill club for further details.

FROM THE VAULT

Friday 4 July 2014 the western weekender

Who loved collecting rugby league trading cards back in the 1990’s? It was a very common sight to see kids trading cards in the playground and building their collection. This card from our vault comes from 1990 and features the great Mark Geyer, a year before the Panthers won the 1991 premiership. How much was a Mark Geyer card worth on the playground?

The miracle at Penrith Stadium TROY DODDS

@troydodds

R

ugby league can produce some remarkable moments and memories, but the events of June 4, 2000 will live in the minds of Penrith Panthers fans forever.

As the Panthers prepare to take on the Tigers this Sunday, it’s fitting to look back at one of the most remarkable comebacks in NRL history – a day that had Penrith fans in raptures and Tigers fans in absolute shock.

It’s probably fair to say that a big chunk of the 16,000-strong crowd at Penrith Stadium back on that June afternoon would have already left the ground with the Panthers down 31-8 to the Tigers mid-way through the second half. It appeared the Tigers had done enough to win the game and had certainly out-played the Panthers for much of the game.

But proving that rugby league can sometimes deliver the impossible, Penrith would mount an incredible fightback to eventually win the game 32-31, recording what still stands as their greatest ever comeback.

The comeback started in the 57th minute when some fancy passing and ‘hot potato’ football saw Shane Elford score in the corner. Chris Hicks converted to make the score 31-14, but victory still seemed an impossible task.

That was until the impossible became the probable – in the very next set, Craig Gower went from dummy half to score under the posts and with the conversion, Penrith were just 11 points behind with 20 minutes to play.

With 15 minutes left, sustained pressure saw Penrith attacking the Tigers’ line and a slick play to the right saw big Tony Puletua carry numerous defenders over the line with him to score. Hicks converted again, and the score was 31-26.

With the crowd going wild, Penrith continued to force their way down field and with 10 minutes to play, Puletua strolled over for his second try as the Panthers continued to expose weak defence on the Tigers’ left hand side.

Hicks landed the conversion from close to the sideline to put the home side up 32-31.

The Panthers still had to hang on for 10 minutes to win the game, but after coming from so far behind,

Celebrations at the end of the game

“I can’t remember the last time I saw a game like this” – Peter Sterling on Channel Nine

there was no way Penrith was going to surrender the lead. With the crowd on their feet, the Panthers stayed in front and won by a single point.

“I can’t remember the last time I saw a game like this,” Peter Sterling said in commentary on Channel Nine.

“Miracle at the foot of the Mountains,” read the headline on the front page of The Daily Telegraph the next day.

When all was said and done, the Panthers not only came from 23 points down to win, but had scored four tries in just 14 minutes to complete one of the most special afternoons ever recorded at Penrith Stadium.

Commentator Ray Warren labelled it a “Houdini performance”.

He wasn’t wrong.

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PANTHERS IN PICTURES Whare in action for the Panthers

Centre of attention at Penrith

Whare shows his defensive efforts against the Bulldogs

He started his time with Penrith at fullback, but after a questionable stint in the number one jumper he was moved to the centres and has thrived ever since. Dean Whare is now one of the best defensive centres in the game @wwpenrith

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Chiropractic as a regular treatment will also help prevent arthritis or at least its damaging effects. This form of prevention is probably the most crucial benefit in treating the disease. The lifestyle changes and therapies associated with chiropractic will influence diet, exercise and maintaining the body’s alignment .

Proper weight and a healthy immune system are both important factors in limiting the devastating effects of all forms of arthritis.

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1. Whare splits the Newcastle defensive line earlier this season 2. Whare ready to take a tackle 3. Whare joined the Panthers last season from Manly 4. Whare runs out onto Sportingbet Stadium Photos: Melinda Jane

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