Extra Time March 6

FRI 06 MAR 2015 Issue 001 PROUDLY INDEPENDENT

MERRIN IS A PANTHER Origin forward to join Penrith in 2016

KEVIN KINGSTON STEVE HART JUSTIN PASCOE FAN OF THE WEEK

The long wait is finally over

INSIDE: OUR CELEBRITY TIPSTERS!

Printed on 100% recycled paper

PANTHERS V BULLDOGS

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Friday 6 March 2015 « the western weekender • extra time

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PENRITH RUGBY

2015 Season Launch Join us for a tasty bite & drinks to help us launch the season Venue: Outback Steakhouse, 123 Mulgoa Rd, Penrith Date: Friday 13th March Time 5.30 - 8pm Dress: Smart Casual RSVP: By the 7th March to Jim Hook 0412 661 655 or Ray King 0400 855 588 Cost: $30 per person

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39

PANTHERS 1

Matt Moylan

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

George Jennings Dean Whare Jamal Idris Dallin Watene-Zelezniak Jamie Soward Peter Wallace (c) Sam McKendry James Segeyaro Brent Kite Sika Manu Lewis Brown Elijah Taylor Tyrone Peachey Jeremy Latimore Reagan Campbell-Gillard Bryce Cartwright

BULLDOGS

FACT CHECK Ê Penrith has a 39.5 per cent winning record over the Bulldogs. Ê Penrith played their first ever premiership match against the Bulldogs on April 2, 1967 Ê These teams played three times last season, with Penrith winning two and the Bulldogs one Jamal Idris is ready to fire in season 2015

1

Brett Morris

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

Curtis Rona Josh Morris Timoteo Lafai Sam Perrett Josh Reynolds Trent Hodkinson Aiden Tolman Michael Lichaa James Graham (c) Josh Jackson Tony Williams Greg Eastwood Sam Kasiano David Klemmer Frank Pritchard Tim Browne

Revenge not the key factor TROY DODDS @troydodds

Y

ou may think that the Penrith Panthers NRL team and Chinese astrology are worlds apart, but I’m here to tell you that they’re not.

You see, it seems the Panthers are quite incredibly linked with the Chinese Year of the Goat.

It was the Chinese Year of the Goat in 1967, when Penrith entered the top flight rugby league competition. The next Chinese Year of the Goat was in 1979, when Penrith won its first Harold Matthews (Under 16’s) title. 1979 also marked the year that Phil Gould, who would later become a part of Panthers folklore, captained the Panthers.

It was Chinese Year of the Goat again in 1991, and we all know what happened then.

2003? You guessed it – Chinese Year of the Goat.

And the best news in all of this is that 2015 is also the Year of the Goat, and just maybe, the year of the Panther.

If I was Ivan Cleary, I’d be buying a pet goat almost immediately.

Cleary’s focus of course couldn’t be further away from Chinese astrology. He’s been far more focused on dogs than goats in the last few weeks as he prepares for this Sunday’s opening round clash with the Bulldogs at Pepper Stadium.

In some corners, this game has been marketed as an opportunity for Penrith to seek revenge on the Bulldogs after last year’s Preliminary Final at ANZ Stadium.

However, I’d highly doubt revenge is on the mind of Cleary, who would be far more focused on what is going to happen this year rather than how 2014 ended.

Penrith’s trial form hasn’t been great but you get the feeling that the side tiptoed its way through the pre-season, looking to avoid any sort of injury crisis like the one that beset the club last season. The fact that Penrith’s squad has largely stayed the same from 2014 to 2015 meant that the trial games were more about fine tuning

PANTHERS V BULLDOGS SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 4.00PM PEPPER STADIUM REFEREES: BEN CUMMINS AND GAVIN REYNOLDS TV: CHANNEL 9 LIVE RADIO: TRIPLE M, ABC LIVE than putting a new team on the field for the first time.

Most expect Canterbury to have a strong season this year and there’s no doubt that it’s a tough opening match for the Panthers.

Des Hasler has named an incredibly strong side for Sunday’s game with a ferocious forward pack led by Aiden Tolman and new skipper James Graham.

Things will be a little bit different at the Bulldogs this year with the departure of

Michael Ennis, but the ‘menace’ nickname can be easily transferred to Graham, who had such a strong back end to the 2014 season and could be shaping up for one of his best seasons yet.

Penrith has set tongues wagging by naming two debutants in the side for Sunday, namely George Jennings and Reagan Campbell-Gillard.

Both have been on the radar of Penrith fans for a while and their debuts this weekend are no real surprise.

The impressive thing about both sides is their bench. Penrith will add some spark to the game mid-way through the first half when Tyrone Peachey and Bryce Cartwright get a run, while the Bulldogs keep rolling out the big boppers with the likes of Frank Pritchard and Sam Kasiano sure to make an impact.

Like all round one matches, this is a toss of the coin and you just never know what you’re going to get in the opening round.

The fact that this game is at home means I’m leaning slightly towards Penrith.

TIP: PANTHERS BY 4

the western weekender • extra time » Friday 6 March 2015

MATCH PREVIEW

Friday 6 March 2015 « the western weekender • extra time

40

PANTHER RUMBLINGS

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

with the

Masked Panther

» Patience paid off for the Penrith Pan-

thers when they were able to announce the signing of NSW and Dragons forward Trent Merrin for the 2016 season. He’s signed a three year deal with some suggesting the contract is worth $750,000 per season. I’m told third party deals are part of the contract Merrin has signed.

Panthers boss Phil Gould certainly didn’t hold back when praising Merrin: “This is one of the most significant player signings this club has made in its 49 year history,” Gould said. It’s a big call, but you certainly can’t doubt that it’s a significant signature and will boost Penrith’s forward stocks from next year.

» The Panthers launched the 2015 NRL

MERRIN TO JOIN PENRITH IN 2016

season over two separate days last week.

On Thursday, a Civic Reception was held at Penrith City Council where Mayor Ross Fowler wished the side all the best for the long season ahead. Captain Peter Wallace and coach Ivan Cleary also spoke, while the players mixed with invited local juniors from various teams. On Friday, the club’s official season launch was held at Fernhill in Mulgoa, with anticipation building ahead of kick-off to the season this weekend. Probably the highlight of the season launch was a rousing speech from Panthers boss Phil Gould, who certainly knows how to make a few hundred guests stand and listen to every word.

» One of the highlights at the season

Phil Gould, Ross Fowler and Peter Wallace at the Civic Reception

» There is a bit of confusion surround-

Ben Murdoch-Masila has had a brilliant off-season with the Panthers. He played a key role in helping Penrith through the club’s horror injury run at the back end of last year, and has apparently trained the house down in the pre-season.

launch at Fernhill was without doubt Jamal Idris’ singing ability. During the night, the towering centre got on the microphone and belted out a few bars of ‘Boot Scootin Baby’.

ing one of Penrith’s home games this year. Originally, memberships were sold on the basis that there would be only 10 home games at Penrith Stadium, with one match in Bathurst and another at a yet-to-be-confirmed venue, believed to be Christchurch. But there’s some issues with the Christchurch deal, and 11 games have been announced for Penrith Stadium. I’m told that the Christchurch deal is not necessarily dead and buried, although it is looking increasingly unlikely for this season – particularly given it’d cause some upset with the fan base when a scheduled match is moved.

» We’ll wait and see what happens once the season gets underway, but I’m told

» The NRL is back to releasing team lists

on Tuesdays, after a failed attempt to move the deadline to Wednesdays. ‘Team List Wednesday’ would have caused major problems for the game’s leading magazine, Big League, which would have had to print without team lists for the first time in 90 or so years. Thankfully, the NRL finally saw sense and normality has been restored.

» Jamie Soward is expanding his media

career by joining Triple M’s commentary team this year. Soward, who recently shaved off his rather questionable moustache, will call matches alongside Dan Ginnane and the rest of the team,

which is littered with some of the game’s biggest names from the past and present.

It’ll be an interesting year in radio land in 2015, with 2GB, Triple M and the ABC all believing they’re a chance of coming out as the top dog. 2GB’s team will be led by Ray Hadley and new recruit David Morrow, but has been weakened by the departures of Andrew Moore and Steve Roach. Moore is now at the ABC, which will give them a huge boost, while Triple M continues to make inroads particularly with the younger market.

» How good was it to see ‘NRL 360’ on

more than once this week? The new expanded show is sure to be a winner with fans – it’s by far the best NRL show on television.

» Big Nigel Plum will retire at the end of the 2015 NRL season. Plum has been a key part of Penrith’s resurgence and it’ll be sad to see him finish up.

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Segeyaro: Bring on the Dogs Penrith has one of the toughest opening round encounters, but James Segeyaro says he’s happy to face one of the heavyweights of the competition first up

NATHAN TAYLOR natetaylor87

P

anthers hooker James Segeyaro won’t call this Sunday’s NRL season opener against the Canterbury Bulldogs a revenge game but, from a fan’s perspective, that’s certainly what it is.

Fans were gutted last September when the Bulldogs cut Penrith’s fairytale season short a game before the Grand Final, and now they want some good old fashion payback come this Sunday afternoon at Pepper Stadium.

“To tell you the truth, I still have a fire burning inside of me,” Segeyaro told Extra Time.

“The Bulldogs were obviously the better team in the end [last year] but I’m hoping we can go out there this Sunday and prove a point to ourselves and give our fans something to cheer about by getting off to a good start.”

The Bulldogs are set to be a major contender for this year’s title and Segeyaro admitted he was very happy his side got drawn to play one of the league’s best teams in the opening round.

“The Bulldogs have a massive pack, great players… it’s going to be very physical and

James Segeyaro at weights training on Tuesday come 4pm Sunday, I dare say it will be very hot too,” he said.

One player who is calling this Sunday’s contest against the boys from Bankstown a revenge game is Segeyaro’s teammate Dean Whare.

“I see this game pretty similar to the fans,” the Kiwi centre admitted.

“We were very disappointed about our performance against them last year the week before the Grand Final. I think we

just want to try and focus on ourselves more in this one.”

Meanwhile, Segeyaro revealed how new recruit and fellow hooker Apisai Koroisau had taught him a thing or two during this year’s pre-season.

“We’re here to all help each other out, we’re all going for the same goal at the end of the day,” he said.

“I’ve learnt a lot from him over the last couple of months.”

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday 6 March 2015

FEATURE STORY

KEV’S KORNER

WITH KEVIN KINGSTON

H TIME FOR THE REAL STUFF TO BEGIN

ey Panther fans!

I hope everyone is looking forward to the season as much as I am. Over the next few months I will be writing a column piece each week, giving you an update on everything that’s happening behind the scenes in Panther-land.

So first up, let’s get stuck into how the pre-season has been for our boys, and how we’re shaping up as we stare down the barrel of our Round 1 clash against the Bulldogs at Pepper Stadium this Sunday afternoon.

After making it to within one game of grand final glory last year, the boys came back from holidays recharged and ready to fire.

We had quite a large injury toll to contend with and plenty of players who needed off season surgery.

But it hasn’t stopped the team getting bigger, stronger, fitter and faster over the summer, and with our new strength and conditioning guru David Boyle running things, the boys are looking polished.

The last few months have given us a sneak peek of the young talent we have coming up through the ranks.

The Jennings brothers have been very impressive; George had a very strong showing at the Auckland Nines, while younger sibling Rob proved he is a serious first grade contender during our trials.

Christian Crichton is another young star who shone at the Nines and he continues to improve in leaps and bounds.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard is now knock-

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George Jennings is set to be one of Penrith’s biggest stars ing on the door of a first grade debut, and Kieran Moss has been one of our best trainers and he is promising big things this season.

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Final qualifier against the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.

But our players and staff have worked hard to prove we can keep up with the best of them, and personally, I can’t wait to watch our team run out in front of a packed house at Pepper Stadium this weekend.

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43 the western weekender • extra time » Friday 6 March 2015

FEATURE STORY

Exciting duo stays at Penrith Tyrone Peachey and Waqa Blake settled their immediate playing futures last week by signing new deals with the Panthers

NATHAN TAYLOR @natetaylor87

H

e’s the player that all Panthers fans had on their recruitment lists as ‘next to re-sign’, and now they can give the name Tyrone Peachey a big green tick after the news the excitement machine has extended his stay at the club until the end of 2017.

The 23-year-old former Shark, who joined the Panthers last season, penned the new two-year deal last Thursday.

Joining Peachey for an extended stay in Penrith is emerging centre Waqa Blake, who signed a one-year contract extension that will also see him remain in Panthers colours until the end of 2017.

20-year-old Blake was part of Penrith’s premiership-winning Holden Cup team in 2013 before moving to the NSW Cup last season.

“It’s a real privilege to re-sign with Panthers for another year,” Blake said.

“Ivan and Gus are such great mentors and I have learnt so much during pre-season training. My goal is to try and make first grade this year, and I’m really keen to see how far I can take my career with Penrith.”

Despite rumours he’d rejoin the Sharks,

Tyrone Peachey has re-signed with the Panthers a club that made his uncle David a household name, Peachey said he was grateful to be remaining out west.

“I have loved my time here so far and I’ve made some really great mates, and the support from the members and fans has been amazing,” he said.

“I think I’m playing my best footy at the moment, and Ivan is giving me plenty of opportunity to prove myself, which makes me want to work even harder.”

Panthers boss Phil Gould said the acqui-

sition of Peachey and Blake was another step in the right direction for the Panthers.

“To have both Tyrone Peachey and Waqa Blake agree to extend their contracts with our club is a huge vote of confidence in the culture, coaching and development programs our head coach Ivan Cleary and his team have created here at Panthers,” he said.

“We feel so fortunate to have young Waqa as part of our club for the next three seasons, and Tyrone Peachey excites me.”

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PANTHERS IN PICTURES

Welcome back, Pete #pantherpride

After missing Penrith’s remarkable run to the finals last year, Peter Wallace is back and ready to lead the side throughout 2015

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45 the western weekender • extra time » Friday 6 March 2015

Peter Wallace is back from injury and will lead the Panthers into battle against the Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon at Pepper Stadium. Photos: Melinda Jane

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday 6 March 2015

HART TO HART

47 WITH STEVE HART

W THE LONG SUMMER WAIT IS OVER

ell finally it’s here! Yes the kick off to the NRL season! I don’t know about you but despite all the off-field drama I am more excited than ever for the season ahead and the incredible skill of the game’s superstars.

Johnathan Thurston, who clearly just loves playing footy, will again weave his magic at all levels. His contagious laugh will be back too, of course.

Or how about the power and skill of big GI causing havoc every time he picks up the ball for Souths, Queensland or Australia.

They say he’s mentally exhausted, gee I’d hate to see him fresh!

Cameron Smith, again, a master at turning the key in the slick Craig Bellamydesigned Melbourne Storm machine.

Then there’s last year’s surprise packets Penrith who will not be underestimated by anyone this year.

Their depth was tested beyond belief last season and they showed to a man they will get the job done when called upon. The vision and rebuilding under the guidance of Phil Gould and coach Ivan Cleary looks ready to push for a Grand Final berth.

I could build a case for every single team in this competition, that’s how close it is.

Will the Gold Coast Titans crumble under the decimation brought upon them by the recent cocaine scandal or, as we so often see in rugby league, will the players remaining stand up and show what they are made of?

So let’s look into the crystal ball and see what teams will make the Top 4 this year.

INSIDE STORY

WITH JUSTIN PASCOE CEO, PENRITH DISTRICT RUGBY LEAGUE

MORE THAN JUST FOOTBALL

F

or a fan, opening day represents the excitement of a new season, the expectation that their team will perform better than they have last year, that come September they will be cheering their team on in the finals. For our organisation opening day represents the ability to deliver an event that not only showcases the mighty Panthers’ on field talent but also puts on an event that engages with every patron that enters Pepper Stadium.

We consider the ability to hold NRL games at Pepper Stadium a privilege.

We also realise that with this privilege comes a great deal of responsibility to ensure we provide a stadium and a game day experience that can facilitate all the variables that we are presented with.

As an organisation we are constantly looking at ways to drive attendance to our home games and then when inside Pepper Stadium promote a high level of engagement.

We are continually striving to promote the game day experience as a game that allows for families to bring their children by activating a carnival approach to Kids Corner and create an event of which the game is a significant by-product

by turning the Western Precinct into a destination where patrons can experience entertainment and activations.

In 2014 we invested into Kids Corner with face painters, carnival rides and new vendors and in 2015 we have invested into new amenities in the corporate areas, we welcome for the very first time a portable Oliver Brown cart in the Western Precinct and a permanent one in Kids Corner.

We also welcome the “Oak Milk Bar” which will be housed in Kids Corner and after round one we will begin preparing to remove the OB vans that broadcast out of the Western Precinct in order to open up that area behind the western stand to become an entertainment destination for our fans in the future.

Behind the scenes in order to get ready for round one our organisation has been working tirelessly to prepare the stadium. New signage, new activations, new vendors, new offerings, new corporate areas, new corporate amenities, new rides and a brand new field all aimed at ensuring that as members and fans of the Panthers, when you enter Pepper Stadium you get an experience that is far more than just football.

Greg Inglis is one of the game’s biggest superstars Souths, even without Sam Burgess, have showed in the pre-season that they will go very close to back-to-back premierships.

Des Hasler’s Bulldogs must be ready to deliver, Penrith surely will be there, and I see Parramatta, also, with plenty of reasons to believe.

Perhaps ready to slide from last year is

Manly, who are a club in disarray, and the Roosters could also slip up.

But everyone starts on zero points and right now all believe their team could win the comp.

Good luck to whoever you follow, just bring on the footy this weekend.

I can’t wait!

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Friday 6 March 2015 « the western weekender • extra time

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NRL LADDER & FIXTURES CLUB

PD

W

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F

A

+/-

PTS

Panthers

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2 Bulldogs

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3 Cowboys

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4 Dragons

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5 Eels

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6 Knights

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7 Broncos

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8 Rabbitohs

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9 Raiders

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10 Roosters

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11 Sea Eagles

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12 Sharks

0

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13 Storm

0

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14 Titans

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15 Warriors

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16 W. Tigers

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1

Extra Time Issue Number 001 PRINTED BY Spotpress Pty Ltd / PRODUCED BY The Western Weekender EDITOR Troy Dodds / 4722 2998 / troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au CONTRIBUTORS Nathan Taylor / Kevin Kingston / Steve Hart / Stew Moses SALES MANAGER Simon Gould / 4722 2998 simon.gould@westernweekender.com.au

ROUND 1 Broncos v Rabbitohs Thursday, March 5 8.00pm Suncorp Stadium Eels v Sea Eagles Friday, March 6 7.45pm Pirtek Stadium Knights v Warriors Saturday, March 7 4.30pm Hunter Stadium Titans v Wests Tigers Saturday, March 7 7.00pm Skilled Park Cowboys v Roosters Saturday, March 7 9.00pm 1300Smiles Stadium Panthers v Bulldogs Sunday, March 8 4.00pm Pepper Stadium Sharks v Raiders Sunday, March 8 6.30pm Remondis Stadium Dragons v Storm Monday, March 9 7pm Kogarah Oval

‘

FAN OF THE WEEK

CATHERINE PIROTTA Kingswood

Years supporting the Panthers: 25 years Favourite current Panther and favourite ex-Panther: Nigel Plum and Ryan Girdler Why do you support the Panthers?

I support Penrith because they’re in the area, I can attend games and I’ll always stay loyal to this team What’s your best Panthers memory? The 2003 Grand Final and the 62-6 thrashing against the Warriors in Round 10 2013 What’s your prized piece of Panthers memorabilia that you’d never sell? My 2003 Grand Final team photo frame and my autographed jersey If the Panthers won the 2015 Grand Final, how would you react? I’d jump for joy and be ecstatic and emotionally proud

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NSW CUP

BY NATHAN TAYLOR

BY STEW MOSES

TWO CLUB VETERANS TO COACH RISING STARS IN THE UNDER 20’S COMPETITION THIS SEASON

THE HUNTER BECOMES THE HUNTED: CAN PENRITH GO BACK TO BACK IN NSW CUP COMPETITION?

Penrith’s Holden Cup team will be coached by two former players this season in Cameron Ciraldo and Kevin Kingston.

Ciraldo, who retired at the Panthers back in 2013, will lead the side with Kingston, who retired at the end of last season, his assistant.

It’ll be a big year for Penrith’s young guns who will be hoping to regain their dominance in the National Youth Competition.

After winning the coveted title in 2013, the Panthers U20’s took a massive hit last season with many players promoted to the NSW Cup, which in turn saw the side miss finals footy by the skin of their teeth.

If Penrith’s pre-season trial form is anything to go by, they could be back on top once again.

During their most recent trial against the Parramatta Eels, the Panthers defeated their western Sydney rivals in a gutsy performance 28-24.

The match, played in wet conditions at Penrith Stadium, went right down to the wire with the Eels hitting the lead by two with a few minutes remaining.

Just when the game looked done and dusted, the Panthers regrouped to put

Defending NSW Cup champions, the Penrith Panthers square off against traditional foes, the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs in Round 1 action as part of a three grade bonanza of footy to be played at the newly named Pepper Stadium this Sunday afternoon at 1.45pm.

Both teams come into 2015 with vastly different expectations – Penrith will be looking to win back-to-back titles despite seeing a plethora of players leave the club including Tim Grant, Kevin Kingston, Kierran Moseley, Kevin and Wes Naiqama, Ryan Simpkins, Eto Nabuli, Tom Humble, Luke Capewell, Anthony Cherrington and Vaipuna Tia Kilifi.

In their place comes Apisai Koroisau and Tupou Sopoaga who both should see their share of NRL action with the Panthers in 2015 while Rodney Coates and Nu’u Akerpia will also add some depth to what should be a young but talented squad at coach Garth Brennan’s disposal in 2015.

Canterbury on the other hand will need to overcome the loss of the likes of Krisnan Inu, Reni Maitua, Lachlan Burr, Drury Low and Harlan Alaalatoa, if they want to improve on their lowly 2014 table position but there’s little doubt Curtis Rona, Jacob Loko and Antonio Kaufusi

Kevin Kingston big Oliver Clark over for the thrilling win.

In Penrith’s other two trials, they hammered the Sydney Roosters 36-20 in Wyong and lost a closely contested match 16-14 to the Wests Tigers in Windsor.

Players to look out for in season 2015 include halfback Soni Luke, prop Oliver Clark, centre Brent Naden, five-eighth Tyrone May, and wingers Christian Chrichton and Joshua Jay.

will prove to be more than handy replacements as they push their claims for inclusion in the Bulldogs NRL squad.

Penrith come into Round 1 with their share of injury issues with Nathan Smith, Tom Eisenhuth, Daniel Foster and Brendan Attwood unavailable.

Nonetheless the Panthers have still announced a very strong side with seven players having NRL experience and five of last year’s premiership winning side selected for this game. Adam Docker, Waqa Blake and Sam Anderson will all make their first appearance for 2015 while two players, Christian Chrichton and James Fisher-Harris, will make their NSW Cup debuts. Adrian Davis, Tupou Sopoaga, Rodney Coates and Nu’u Akerpia will make their club debuts.

Canterbury are relatively injury-free and will be anything but pushovers having named a strong side containing six players with NRL experience including Antonio Kaufusi making his club debut, complementing the likes of Chase Stanley, Moses Mbye, Corey Thompson, Damien Cook and Lloyd Perrett Jnr. In 2014, Penrith won both games against the Bulldogs and with no love lost between these two sides expect things to heat up on the field once again.

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