Sport

JESS FOX IS BACK HOME – AND LOVING IT

Exclusive interview with the Olympic champion. p63.

Sean O’Sullivan is returning to his roots, signing a one-year deal with Penrith. Photo: NRL Photos.

Homecoming for O’Sullivan thanks to new Penrith deal

NATHAN TAYLOR

Penrith haven’t wasted any time replacing the recently sacked Tyrone May, announcing the signing of young playmaker and local junior Sean O’Sullivan for the 2022 season.

The 23-year-old Glenmore Park Brumbies junior returns to the club on a one-year deal following stints with the Sydney Roosters, Brisbane Broncos and New Zealand Warriors between 2018 and 2021.

When O’Sullivan last wore Panthers colours in 2016, he captained a Penrith SG Ball side, featuring the likes of Brian To’o and Mitch Kenny, to the premiership and national title.

“I’m a Penrith junior who grew up in Glenmore Park dreaming of playing for the Panthers, so I’m very excited to come home,” O’Sullivan said.

“The opportunity to learn from the great coaches and quality halves at the club was one I simply couldn’t pass up. I’m going to rip into pre-season and do everything I can to help Panthers achieve success again in 2022.”

A former Australian Schoolboys and NSW U18s representative, O’Sullivan made his first grade debut in 2018 and has played 22 NRL games.

With Nathan Cleary a chance of missing the start of the season following shoulder surgery, along with another busy State of Origin period for Penrith, O’Sullivan will provide much-needed relief when the NRL side is down on troops.

“As a local junior who helped bring a national title to Penrith, we’re delighted to have Sean return to the club,” Panthers General Manager Rugby League, Matt Cameron said.

“His acquisition provides our NRL squad with vital halves depth ahead of the 2022 season.

“We’re confident Sean’s experiences as an NRL playmaker to this point have him well-equipped to fulfil an important role for the Panthers next season.”

In other news, the Weekender understands Penrith officials spoke to both Nathan Cleary and Taylan May about their public reactions to Tyrone May’s sacking last week.

Both have been warned about their social media use.

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Williams set to lead Wanderers

NATHAN TAYLOR

Rhys Williams is yet to play a game for the Wanderers, but his impact at the club has been so immense that he’s been named captain for the upcoming A-League season.

The 32-year-old, who joined Western Sydney this season following a threeyear stint in Saudi Arabia, has played a significant role on the field during the pre-season in the heart of defence.

While off the field Williams has been a vocal leader in the group, setting an example to the next generation of Wanderers.

Often captaining Al Qadisiyah and former Middlesbrough sides, the Perthborn defender has brought a wealth of experience and leadership qualities to the club over the past few months.

Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas congratulated Williams on the captaincy.

“Since arriving at the club, Rhys has been a fantastic leader and individual in our pre-season preparations,” he said.

“Rhys has led the group with pride, respect and honour and we look forward to him and the team having all the success this season.”

Wanderers coach Carl Robinson praised Williams’ contribution to the club so far.

“It was a difficult decision because this year we have so many talented senior players, who all have excellent leadership qualities in very different ways,” he said.

“Rhys is a very good person both on and off the field and has values that align with the people of western Sydney.

“He is the epitome of a good teammate and leader, he is very vocal but detailed orientated in his communication.

“He also supports the young players that we are trying to develop here at the Wanderers and has the respect of our key senior players.”

Williams, who played with the Socceroos between 2009-2013 and spent time at Victory and Glory, said he was honoured to wear the captain’s armband.

“It is a privilege and an honour to be named the captain of this great club,” he said.

“I would like to thank head coach Carl Robinson and the club for giving me this honour and opportunity to lead the club in their historic 10th season.

“Having only been at the club for a few months, it feels like I have been here for years and I feel at home at the Wanderers.”

New Western Sydney Wanderers captain Rhys Williams is all smiles.

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Th e future is football

Next stage of Western Sydney Wanderers’ dream is becoming a reality

NATHAN TAYLOR

In a move that will only strengthen football in western Sydney for decades to come, work has started on the latest stage of the new Wanderers Football Park in Rooty Hill.

The NSW Government provided $5 million to the Wanderers for Stage 4 of the facility at Blacktown International Sportspark, as one of 22 projects awarded $39.95 million in round two of the Greater Sydney Sports Facility Fund.

Opening early next year, Stage 4 will cost $6.25 million and includes construction of nine all-weather five-a-side football pitches, a facility featuring office space, function room and change rooms, a new amenities building for the southern area of the Football Park, as well as landscaping and supporting infrastructure.

Minister for Sport Natalie Ward said Wanderers Football Park would provide a dedicated facility for the development of footballing talent in western Sydney, along with a focus on community involvement.

“The Greater Sydney Sports Facility Fund has invested in new and existing facilities that provide accessible, safe and inclusive sports infrastructure for all sections of the community, including women, people with a disability and multicultural communities,” she said.

“Wanderers Football Park will provide an integrated high-performance facility that will improve Western Sydney Wanderers’ talent development pathways and community programs.

“This will ensure the Wanderers continue to develop players who will dominate not just the A-Leagues but Asian and World football.”

Western Sydney Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas said this investment was another show of commitment to the western Sydney region.

“This combined investment from the NSW Government and our owners will provide an incredible space for our community in western Sydney,” he said.

“The creation of nine all-weather five-aside pitches, as well as new change room facilities, will create more opportunity for us to engage with our community and create a safe, high-quality venue to cater for a broad spectrum of people.”

The ceremonial first sod has been turned. An artist’s impression of the future Wanderers Football Park.

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NRL DRAW REVEALED

Story continued from »p.64

Ivan Cleary’s men will finish the season on the road with a clash against the Cowboys at QLD Country Bank Stadium on Saturday, September 3.

Penrith will also return to Auckland for the first time in several seasons when they play the Warriors at Mount Smart Stadium on Saturday, June 18 at 5.30pm. It will be the Warriors’ first game back in New Zealand since the pandemic started. 13 of Penrith’s 24 matches will be shown on free-to-air TV via Channel Nine.

“There certainly is a lot to look forward to in 2022,” said NRL CEO Andrew Abdo.

“The draw and the schedule is always an important time of year for a lot of banter, a lot of analysis and a lot of prediction.

“Our draw is particularly complex because there’s a lot of inputs that need to go in to satisfying the outcomes we want to achieve.”

Mr Abdo confirmed a new format for pre-season trials would be announced in the coming weeks.

Bowling them over

New grant funding welcomed by local cricket club

NATHAN TAYLOR

Colyton St Clair Colts Cricket Club will share in $10,000 worth of grant funding made available as part of the HomeWorld Helpers Grant program.

An initiative of the Sydney Thunder and HomeWorld, the club that plays in the Penrith Junior Cricket Association will receive a $1000 grant, which will be put towards the purchase of new equipment, including sun shelters, for both junior and Woolworths Cricket Blast teams. The funding will also be used to secure drink bottles and sun hats for players.

Colyton St Clair is one of 10 clubs across the Thunder Nation to benefit from the program, which sets out to develop the next generation of Sydney Thunder stars in the shape of improved diversity and inclusion opportunities, equipment, uniforms, coaching and local promotion of the game.

HomeWorld Group of Companies’ Director of Marketing, Sponsorship and Community, Trudi Busch, said HomeWorld was excited to continue with their Helpers Grant initiative.

Colyton St Clair Colts Cricket Club are over the moon with their $1000 grant.

“It has been great to see the grants being used by Thunder Nation Cricket Clubs over the past few years,” she said.

“We think it is important to support cricketing communities and hope that these new grants will help local clubs develop their younger players. Cricket should be accessible to anyone who wants to give it a go.”

Colyton St Clair Colts Cricket Club President Adam Coleman said the $1000 will mean so much to his club.

“The funding is very important because we are only a small club – we have a few junior teams and a few senior teams,” he told the Weekender.

“This money will make life easier for our members, providing them with new equipment, like the sun shelter, which will be useful to everyone.”

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Around The Grounds

CRICKET: A new-look Penrith first grade team have lost their opening round match of the Belvidere Cup, going down to Fairfield-Liverpool last Saturday. Playing in a One Day match at Rosedale Oval, Fairfield-Liverpool won the toss and sent Penrith into bat first. Penrith posted a strong score after 50 overs, 9/220. Jordan Browne led the way for the visitors, notching 58 hard-fought runs. When Fairfield-Liverpool hit the crease later that afternoon, they started terribly before a strong partnership between Yuvraj Sharma and Luke Ohrynowsky gave the home side the narrow win with less than three overs to spare. Penrith will look to regroup this Saturday when they go up against Campbelltown-Camden at Howell Oval.

CRICKET: Round 1 of the Nepean District Cricket Association (NDCA) is in the books, with Panthers Cricket Club having mixed results. In first grade, Panthers 10/98 went down to Phoenix Sports 2/101. In fifth grade, Panthers 7/217 opened their new season in style defeating Glenbrook Blaxland 10/204. In seventh grade, the match was washed out. The club will be hoping for wins in all three grades this weekend.

FOOTBALL: The Western Sydney Wanderers have extended their partnership with sponsor JD Sports until the end of the 2022/23 season. Set to take the partnership to its sixth year at the end of the 2022/23 season, JD Sports will now feature on the right back of the club’s A-League team’s shorts on all three kits. JD Sports, in partnership with the Wanderers, recently launched a video podcast series called ‘Western Sole’ hosted by global football connoisseur LOCAL FC. The six-episode content series speaks to Wanderers players and coaching staff about what it means to represent the western Sydney region, football culture and all the latest drops at JD Sports. The partnership this season will also see JD Sports play a significant role in supporting a range of community activities and initiatives driven by the Wanderers Foundation to support disadvantaged youth and all abilities football.

AFL: Former Giants Academy graduate Jarrod Brander will return home in 2022, signing with the club as a delisted free agent. The 22-year-old grew up in Wentworth in southern NSW and was a member of the club’s Academy until his draft year when the Academy zones were changed and the Giants lost priority access to him. Brander was selected at pick 13 in the 2017 AFL Draft by the West Coast Eagles, playing 22 games over the past four seasons. A versatile tall, Brander stands at 196cm and has played in a variety of positions across his career so far. The delisted free agency period opened last week with the AFL Draft to be held on November 24 and 25. GWS hold picks 2, 13, 53, 54, 71 and 89 in the upcoming Draft. Meanwhile, Harry Perryman has signed a two-year contract extension with the Giants.

Th e comforts of home

Exclusive: Olympic champion Jessica Fox back in Penrith for the summer

NATHAN TAYLOR

Whether it’s visiting her favourite coffee shop, grabbing some delicious Thai takeaway or getting cuddles from her beautiful greyhound, Olympic gold medallist Jessica Fox is loving being back in Penrith.

After five months abroad doing what she does best, the 27-year-old finally returned home last week with two very important prized possessions in hand.

On Monday morning, during an exclusive interview and photo shoot with the Weekender, the paddling superstar proudly showed off the elusive C1 Gold medal and K1 Bronze medal she won at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Just about every Australian will remember where they were that afternoon in July when the bubbly girl from Leonay bounced back from disappointment 48 hours earlier to become an Olympic champion.

“Firstly, I want to thank the Penrith community for their support during the Games. I received so many pictures of kids dressing up, artwork, school projects etc when I was away,” Fox said.

“When I stopped by to collect my Thai takeaway the other day, I noticed Southlands Shopping Centre put up some posters congratulating me. It’s just been so cool and I appreciate all the love.”

Before Fox’s recent triumph in Tokyo she was already a recognisable figure around town but, since winning Olympic Gold, her stardom has skyrocketed and she’s certainly noticed it out and about.

“It’s really nice at the moment because, even though it’s been three months since the Olympics, people still have it on their minds. So, when I bump into people they tell me where they watched it or who they were with or what they felt during it – it’s really nice to be able to connect in that way and hear how they enjoyed the Olympics,” Fox said.

“I was recently at a local shop and I was talking to a staff member about a particular product and out of nowhere they said ‘by the way, well done’. It’s quite funny because I don’t think they recognise me and then they’ll say ‘congrats on the Gold’,” she laughed.

It’s been a huge year for sport in Penrith in 2021. Despite a dreary winter spent in lockdown, our spirits were certainly lifted by the likes of Fox and of course, the Penrith Panthers.

Fox said she’s thrilled to be home, just enjoying the little things in life.

“I was excited to see our greyhound Miss Pink and my Dad, of course, as I hadn’t seen him for a while,” she said.

“I’m just enjoying getting back into the community and frequenting the coffee shops, like Underground Coffee Roasters, after training – just doing all the things I would normally do.

“I’ve also noticed some changes around town too, like the roadworks on Mulgoa Road have finally finished and it’s really nice seeing the Panthers premiership signs everywhere.”

Jessica Fox shows off her Tokyo 2020 Olympic Medals in Penrith on Monday morning. Photo: Melinda Jane.

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Friday night lights

Penrith will play 10 Friday night games next season in an action-packed draw that features a host of mouth-watering clashes.

The Panthers will begin their Premiership defence with a blockbuster match against Tom Trbojevic’s Manly Sea Eagles at BlueBet Stadium on Thursday, March 10.

The Round 3 home game against Newcastle will be taken on the road to Carrington Park in Bathurst, while an epic Grand Final re-match against South Sydney awaits on Friday, April 1 at BlueBet Stadium.

The Panthers will also play a rare Good Friday game when they take on Brisbane on Friday, April 16 at 7.55pm.

There’s two huge Battle of the West clashes against Parramatta – first at BlueBet Stadium on Friday, May 6 and then on Friday, July 29 at Commbank Stadium.

Penrith will play Melbourne twice, including a Magic Round showdown.

Story continues on » p. 62

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo reveals the 2022 season draw on Tuesday. Photo: NRL Photos.

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