Extra Time June 10 2022 (Round 14)

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PLAYERS LIKE DYLAN EDWARDS (PICTURED) AND VILIAME KIKAU ARE STEPPING UP DURING THE ORIGIN PERIOD. CAN THE PANTHERS KEEP THE GOOD TIMES ROLLING AGAINST NEWCASTLE? MATCH PREVIEW PAGE 31

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LANG ON LEAGUE

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CHARLIE STAINES SET FOR EXIT, AS TAYLAN MAY AND YOUNG GUNS RE-SIGN PAGE 32

PETER LANG REFLECTS ON THE PANTHERS WHO HAVE PLAYED ORIGIN FOOTBALL PAGE 35

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v

Viliame Kikau is having a ripper season. Photo: NRL Images.

TROY DODDS

D

espite the number of players out last Friday night, I was always pretty confident the Panthers would get the job done against the Bulldogs. Even in the second half when things got a little scary, it was clear that Penrith just needed the momentum to swing back to them and they’d win the game. That’s exactly what happened, and the patched-up Panthers got the two points.

This Sunday, despite Newcastle’s position on the ladder, has always been the danger game for me when browsing the NRL draw throughout the year.

If anything this Sunday’s team line-up has more doubt about it than the one named last Tuesday to take on Canterbury. The Panthers would have predicted the talent gulf confronting them from long ago, but as much as they’d

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SUNDAY, JUNE 12 | 4.05PM | MCDONALD JONES STADIUM | REFEREE: BEN CUMMINS have a plan around players backing up from Origin this Sunday, the reality is harder to predict.

Coach Ivan Cleary named all of his Origin stars when required to file his team list on Tuesday, but that was some 28 hours before a ball was even kicked at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night. Just how his players return to the foot of the Mountains will determine how things ultimately look on Sunday.

Cleary would also have one eye on next week’s clash with the wounded Warriors, knowing that for many of his Origin stars three games in the space of 10 or so days is not an ideal situation. He’ll manage this process carefully you’d imagine, and nobody will be backing up unnecessarily, especially given the break his team has at the top of the table.

One thing we do know is that some of Penrith’s biggest non-Origin names are having perhaps their best seasons in Penrith colours.

Dylan Edwards is flying at fullback (it’s hard to imagine he’s the same player who was dumped to reserve grade only a few years ago), while Viliame Kikau must be chugging a glass of red cordial before kick-off. He just wants to hurt people (in a good way, of course!). One thing is for sure – Kikau will leave nothing on the table when he eventually does clear out his locker, bound for Belmore at year’s end.

Against Canterbury last week Penrith did the simple things right, as they have done for much of the season. They were caught short in defence a couple of times, but that can be put down to the systems not quite working as well as they do when the Origin stars are there.

PANTHERS

It’ll be a similar game plan this week: keep it simple, kick well and defend like it’s the last minute of a Grand Final.

The Knights have been one of the most disappointing teams this season and are struggling to find the form necessary to trouble the defending Premiers usually, but they’d surely rate themselves a chance on a Sunday afternoon at home against a side dealing with the trials and tribulations of representative football.

Of course Newcastle have some of their own concerns here too and it’s a must that Kalyn Ponga backs up if they’re to trouble the Panthers.

I believe Penrith will win, but I’ll be honest – a little slip-up here wouldn’t surprise me given the circumstances at play.

Tip: Panthers by 4.

KNIGHTS

1 Dylan Edwards

10 James Fisher-Harris

1 Kalyn Ponga (c)

2 Taylan May

11 Viliame Kikau

2 Edrick Lee

10 Jacob Saifiti 11 Tyson Frizell

3 Izack Tago

12 Liam Martin

3 Dane Gagai

12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon

4 Stephen Crichton

13 Isaah Yeo (c)

4 Enari Tuala

13 Mitchell Barnett

5 Brian To’o

14 Mitch Kenny

5 Dominic Young

14 Kurt Mann

6 Jarome Luai

15 Scott Sorensen

6 Anthony Milford

15 Simi Sasagi

7 Nathan Cleary (c)

16 Matthew Eisenhuth

7 Jake Clifford

16 Leo Thompson

8 Moses Leota

17 Jaeman Salmon

8 David Klemmer

17 Mat Croker

9 Apisai Koroisau

18 Robert Jennings 19 Chris Smith

9 Chris Randall

18 Pasami Saulo 19 Jirah Momoisea

Friday, June 10, 2022 « the western weekender • extra time

31

panther rumblings

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WITH THE MASKED PANTHER

STAINES ON VERGE OF NEW HOME !

Staines set to exit: Canterbury and the Dolphins are emerging as the two sides likely to grab the signature of Charlie Staines for next season. Staines is under contract at Penrith but he’s at long odds to stay at the club given he’ll be in reserve grade if Dylan Edwards, Taylan May and Brian To’o are all fit. Penrith won’t stand in the way of him leaving. The 21-yearold still has a solid future ahead of him but is a victim of circumstance. He could probably earn solid fullback money, which may mean the Panthers won’t have to contribute too much to his salary next year if he does exit.

Watch this space.

!

May day: The final nail in the coffin for Staines at Penrith was the re-signing of Taylan May last week. The 20-year-old try scoring machine will be at the club until the end of 2024 after inking a two-year deal. May was always likely to stay at Penrith but there’s no doubt other clubs were sniffing around given his try scoring feats to start the season. “It’s an honour to re-sign at the club. It’s always been a dream of mine to play for the Panthers and I’m making it a reality now,” May said.

!

Early Ivan: Penrith coach Ivan Cleary traditionally holds a press conference on the eve of every NRL game. But this week, he threw the media a curve ball – announcing a Tuesday afternoon press conference, five days before game day in Newcastle. We can only think the coach wants to avoid the expected barrage of questions around players backing up from Origin and will instead leave us all guessing until Sunday afternoon.

Charlie Staines.

!

Youngsters re-sign: The Panthers have announced that Sunia Turuva and Lindsay Smith have both re-signed with the club for the next two seasons. Turuva, who is currently an NRL Development Player, will be promoted to the top 30 for the next two seasons, while Smith will remain in the Panthers first grade squad until at least the end of the 2024 season.

!

Spotted: Brian To’o taking photos and signing autographs as he watched Penrith’s win over Canterbury from the stands at BlueBet Stadium on Friday night.

!

Inspiring debut: Kurt Falls’ NRL debut last Friday night meant so much to his family, which became everything to the 25-year-old after the tragic death of his sister in 2010. The Weekender covered Candice Falls’ passing in a car accident at Colyton extensively at the time.

It’s an horrific story but one that made the Falls family closer than ever. Kurt is loved within the club and it was no surprise to see Jarome Luai – the man he was filling for – wearing a shirt branded with his name and image at BlueBet Stadium last Friday night. Falls now has a young family of his own, who cheered him on against the Bulldogs.

Suncorp Stadium, ironically called off a television screen. Warren’s voice will be forever etched into some of Penrith’s best memories – he’s been the lead caller in three of the club’s five Grand Final appearances.

at Penrith and is keen to only take the right job when it comes along, but the reality is most head coaching positions become available in challenging times for the club in question.

!

Not all about ratings: I note there’s been some criticism about SEN’s ratings from one columnist in particular lately, with a focus on the perceived poor performance of the breakfast show hosted by Andrew Voss and Panthers legend Greg Alexander. While I have no doubt SEN would like the figures to be higher, the Sydney radio ratings are far from the core of their business model, which focuses a lot on paid content, syndication and podcasts.

! !

Nine’s bad call: Channel Nine has a plethora of talent available to it, which makes the decision to allow Phil Gould to commentate on last Friday’s Panthers v Bulldogs encounter a curious one. Gould is currently the head of everything at Canterbury and obviously has a long history at Penrith. Surely he should have sat this game out.

!

Rabs out: It turns out Ray Warren’s final call for Channel Nine was last year’s Grand Final between Penrith and South Sydney at

Sully to the Dolphins: The rumour from earlier in the year about Sean O’Sullivan joining the Dolphins next season is back again, this time stronger than ever.

!

Wanted man: The rumours about Cameron Ciraldo (pictured right) and a shift to the Wests Tigers next year simply won’t go away and will only ramp up now that Michael Maguire has been sacked. There’s also talk that Ciraldo is in discussions with Penrith about a contract extension, but any deal would include a clause allowing him to take a head coaching role if one arose. I’m told Ciraldo wants to stay

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32

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, June 10, 2022

feature

SMITH BREAKS TRY-SCORING DROUGHT NATHAN TAYLOR

A

whopping 2,463 days since making his NRL debut with Penrith, experienced backrower Chris Smith has finally scored a try in Panthers colours.

Playing in just his second NRL game of the year in what is his second stint at the club, the 28-year-old former Bulldog opened his Panthers try-scoring account against his former team last Friday night at BlueBet Stadium.

Speaking with Extra Time on Wednesday, the former Indigenous All Star said getting his maiden try for Penrith was special.

“It’s always a privilege to put on that Penrith jumper. I was a Penrith junior and I sort of did a bit of a lap around Sydney and somehow found my way back here,” he said.

“But to just put that jumper on and play with such quality players, and to even bag a try as well was pretty special.”

Making Smith’s try in the 4th minute of last week’s clash that more memorable was the fact it came off the boot of NRL debutant, Kurt Falls.

The 25-year-old late bloomer put up the perfect kick for Smith to pluck out of the air and put down beside the posts. Smith praised Falls for his perseverance and for helping him score his first try as a Panther.

“It was awesome! Fallsy and I have built a really strong connection through NSW Cup because we play on the same edge,” he said.

“He’s a quality player and I was just so stoked to see him get an opportunity. He’s someone

Chris Smith (right) celebrates his first try as a Panther. Photo: NRL Images.

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that’s faced a lot of adversity throughout his career and he’s the perfect example of not giving up and just fighting your way through.

“As for the try, I was just in the right place at the right time when he put it up, it was the perfect kick. I was so happy for him, and I was just lucky enough to be on the end of it.”

After making his debut with Penrith in the final round of 2015, Smith joined the Roosters in 2016 where he played just two NRL games.

Smith signed with the Bulldogs in 2018 and went on to play 30 games with the Belmorebased club. Serious injuries plagued his time at Canterbury, and he was released at the end of the 2021 season.

Last November, Smith was picked up by the Panthers on a one-year deal. The Darwin product said he’s grateful to be back at Penrith.

“It’s actually unbelievable to leave here as a young fella and to come back and just to see how much the place has changed and just how professional it is,” Smith said.

“I’ve been to a few clubs and just the standard at this place and just how far ahead of the game they are at the moment, it’s just a class above and I think it goes to show on the field as well.

I’m just so happy to be a part of it.”

Unsigned for next year, Smith is hoping to remain at the competition leaders well into the future.

“If it’s just this year, I’m still so happy, but if the opportunity comes to stay, I’d love to stay as well,” he said.

“Leaving Darwin at a young age, I’ve always seen Penrith as my home and hopefully I can stay a bit longer.”

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feature

O’SULLIVAN OPENS UP ON NRL FUTURE NATHAN TAYLOR

N

athan Cleary’s understudy, Sean O’Sullivan, says he plans to make a call on his long-term future in the coming weeks.

Off-contract at season’s end, the 23-year-old local junior is expected to join new NRL franchise The Dolphins next year, where his father, Peter O’Sullivan, is currently in charge of recruitment.

Desperate to play more first grade footy, the Redcliffe-based club would be the perfect option for the talented playmaker, who’s currently stuck behind NSW Blues halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai at the defending Premiers.

Speaking openly about his future to Extra Time, O’Sullivan said he’s close to finalising his next career move.

“I haven’t done anything yet… I’m sure I’ll come to a decision in the next couple of weeks, but I definitely have not done anything yet,” he confirmed on Wednesday.

“I love it here at Penrith, but we’ll just have to wait and see.”

If O’Sullivan joins his ‘old man’ north of the border it wouldn’t the first time the pair have linked up.

In 2018, he signed with the Roosters where his father had a very long association, and then in 2021, he joined the Warriors where Peter was Recruitment Manager at the time.

O’Sullivan said just because his Dad works for the Dolphins now, it doesn’t mean he’s destined to play there.

“I think that’s just an easy link for people to say I’m going there,” he said.

“I’ll probably sit down with my manager in the next week or two and we’ll cross that bridge

when it comes.

“I’m not too sure where I’ll be next year but I honestly love it here [at Penrith] and I can’t see myself ever leaving.”

Undefeated when he’s a member of Ivan Cleary’s first grade team, Penrith officials would love for O’Sullivan to remain at the foot of the Mountains, but they also understand the Glenmore Park Brumbies junior strongly desires to play regular NRL. In a small sign that he could be considering extending at the Panthers, O’Sullivan said sometimes one’s happiness trumps all.

“When I came here, I knew I was behind Nathan and Jarome, and that was actually the reason I signed here in the first place,” he said.

“I think I’ve developed into a better player because of them and what the coaching staff have done for me, I can’t thank them enough.

“Obviously I do want to be a week in, week out first grade player and that’s not going to happen here, but I am so happy here and when you’ve got to make decisions, happiness comes first.

“I’ve never enjoyed my footy as much as I have enjoyed it here and for that I’m so grateful.”

With Cleary and Luai expected to not back up following Wednesday’s State of Origin opener in Sydney, O’Sullivan will likely get another shot a first grade this weekend.

The halfback said he doesn’t consider Sunday’s match against the struggling Newcastle Knights a danger game despite so much uncertainty surrounding the final make-up of the team.

“That’s kind of every week for us, you never know what’s going to happen at training – you approach every week like you’re going to play, [first grade]” O’Sullivan said.

“It’s not really a danger game because the way that we prepare, we prepare really well every

Panthers halfback Sean O’Sullivan on Wednesday. Photo: Melinda Jane.

week and what Ivan, Ciro and Webby (assistants Cameron Ciraldo and Andrew Webster) have in store for us, you can’t not be prepared.

It will be business as usual.”

O’Sullivan played his fourth game in Panthers’ colours last week, a 30-18 win over the last-placed Canterbury Bulldogs at BlueBet Stadium. O’Sullivan said while it felt different out on the field with so many experienced players missing, he was proud to notch up another victory for his hometown team, especially with

Sean O’Sullivan in action against the Bulldogs last Friday night at BlueBet Stadium. Photo: NRL Images.

34

the western weekender • extra time » Friday, June 10, 2022

the Origin contingent watching on.

“Without Yeo and Romey, it felt a little bit different out there, but everything else was pretty much the same really,” he said.

“I always talk to Nat (Cleary), and him and I spoke with one another at halftime. I think all the Origin guys were just proud of us and, after losing back-to-back games last year during Origin, we’re just really happy that this year we could start off with a win during this Origin period.”

THE TOP 10 PANTHERS WHO HAVE WORN A STATE OF ORIGIN JERSEY W

lang on

league with Peter Lang

ith the first State of Origin game held this week, I thought it would be interesting to name the Top 10 Penrith Panthers players who have represented either Queensland or New South Wales since the concept began in 1980.

When compiling this list, I tried to assess what contribution the player made to his state in the games he played as well as how many times they represented their state but only during their playing days with Penrith.

So without further ado, here is my Top 10...

1) Nathan Cleary (2018-22): Winning three series out of four (2018-19 and 2021) in the toughest arena while playing halfback at a young age is why Cleary tops the list.

He also played through a major shoulder injury to guide the Blues to victory last year and the best is yet to come.

2) Brad Fittler (1990-95): Not only does ‘Freddy’ owe his nickname to the series (and Blues coach Jack Gibson) but he was also barely 18-years-old when he made his debut in 1990. Fittler never looked out of place, was never overawed and was always picked when healthy.

3) Ryan Girdler (1999-2001): Girds holds the record for most points scored in a State of Origin game with 32 in 2000 – enough said!

4) Petero Civoniceva (2008-11): No matter where Penrith sat on the ladder, Petero was always one of the first forwards picked for Queensland and he never let them down.

5) Royce Simmons (1984, 1986-88): People forget that ‘Simmo’ played 10 games for NSW in an era where Ben Elias was in his prime. Tough as nails, Simmons won

Ryan Girdler was a deadset star for NSW in the early 2000s. Photo: NRL Images.

Man-of-the Match honours in game one of 1986.

6) Mark Geyer (1989-91): He may have only played three games for NSW but boy that game he played in 1991, where he terrorised the Maroons and then had that heated confrontation with ‘The King’ Wally Lewis, ensures he makes the list.

7) Michael Jennings (2009-12): Jenko never dominated Origin as he did in club games but he played plenty of matches and deserves his spot in the Top 10.

8) Craig Gower (2001, 2004-06): At hooker

or half, Gower was the perfect utility, unfortunately he was also born in an era where Andrew Johns played halfback.

9) John Cartwright (1989, 1991-92): The man nicknamed ‘Hoss’ was the master of the offload in traffic and he played the same way in all of his eight Origin matches.

10) Greg Alexander (1989-91): ‘Brandy’ played six Origin games and there’s no doubt he should of played more. Bloody Ricky Stuart!

Honourable mentions go to Luke Lewis (2004, 09-10) and Trent Waterhouse (2004, 09-10).

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, June 10, 2022

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, June 10, 2022

nrl ladder & fixtures PD

W

D

L

B

F

A

+/-

PTS

1

Panthers

13

12

0

1

0

374

146

+228

24

2

Storm

12

9

0

3

1

375

186

+189

20

3

Cowboys

13

9

0

4

0

319

159

+160

18

4

Broncos

12

8

0

4

1

268

205

+63

18

5

Eels

12

8

0

4

1

309

253

+56

18

6

Sharks

12

7

0

5

1

260

222

+38

16

7

Roosters

13

7

0

6

0

285

238

+47

14

8

Rabbitohs

12

6

0

6

1

280

253

+27

14

9

Dragons

12

6

0

6

1

209

282

-73

14

10

Sea Eagles

13

6

0

7

0

264

292

-28

12

11

Raiders

13

6

0

7

0

232

267

-35

12

12

Knights

12

4

0

8

1

160

300

-140

10

13

W. Tigers

12

3

0

9

1

180

298

-118

8

14

Warriors

13

4

0

9

0

226

355

-129

8

15

Titans

13

3

0

10

0

208

332

-124

6

16

Bulldogs

13

2

0

11

0

160

321

-161

4

ROUND 14 V

Friday, June 10 7.55pm QLD Country Bank Stadium

V

Saturday, June 11 3.00pm Cbus Super Stadium

V

Saturday, June 11 5.30pm SCG

V

Saturday, June 11 7.35pm Suncorp Stadium

V

Sunday, June 12 2.00pm Leichhardt Oval

V

Sunday, June 12 4.05pm McDonald Jones Stadium

V

Sunday, June 12 6.15pm Moreton Daily Stadium

V

Monday, June 13 4.00pm Accor Stadium

Face In Th e Crowd

IS THIS YOU? Is this you at a recent Penrith Panthers game? If it is, you’ve won a Hoyts Family Movie Pass to use at any Hoyts Cinema in Australia! To collect your prize, visit the Weekender office at 2/42-44 Abel Street, Jamisontown and ask for Nathan Taylor.

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Friday, June 10, 2022 « the western weekender • extra time

39

HIGH FLYING PANTHERS SET TO CRUISE THROUGH ORIGIN PERIOD W

matt russell Brought to you by

hat a brutal few weeks for NRL coaches.

Barrett, Brown and Maguire have left their under-performing clubs and we wait to see if those teams improve at all as a result.

At the other end of the spectrum is Ivan Cleary, tucked away at Penrith on a deal that runs until the end of 2027, and in charge of a club that makes some of the others look like a pub team.

It was on show last Friday, when the Panthers lost six players to the NSW Origin team, yet still beat Canterbury 30-18. If you watched numbers and not faces, you struggled to pick any difference.

So, will Penrith lose a game during the Origin period?

Last year they dropped three.

The Panthers have already ticked the Canterbury game and continue against the Knights, Warriors, Roosters (at Penrith), bye and Tigers.

Coach Cleary called it a new phase in their season.

He was also happy to admit the club had learnt from last year’s Origin period and is in a better position to handle it – despite farewelling Matt Burton, Brent Naden, Tevita Pangai Junior, Kurt Capewell, Paul Momirovski and Tyrone May from last year’s success.

Last Friday, up stepped Robert Jennings, Charlie Staines, Kurt Falls, Sean O’Sullivan, Chris Smith and Matthew Eisenhuth in a sensational show of depth.

Afterwards a senior Penrith official revealed the plan.

“We want to avoid shuffling multiple players in first grade out of their usual position. Instead, it’s like for like down through the grades. If we

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary is in an enviable position. Photo: Megan Dunn.

lose an NRL centre, a NSW Cup centre will step up. If it’s a five-eighth, up comes the lower grader in that position. So on and so forth. That’s how we’ve prepared.”

Only boosting the club’s ability to do that is the re-signing of Taylan May, Sunia Turuva, Lindsay Smith, Ativalu Lisati and Liam Henry.

Cleary smiled as he spoke about the re-signings, while also firing a little barb north. “The

Dolphins seem to be treating us like their backyard at the moment.”

Why wouldn’t they? Every club would love to be in Penrith’s position right now. Indeed, every desperate coach would love to be Ivan Cleary.

So, will the Panthers lose a game during the Origin period? Unbelievably, given the extent of their NSW representation, most people I ask say… NO!

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday, June 10, 2022

ORIGIN DRAIN FELT IN LOWER GRADES AS PANTHERS STRUGGLE T

lower grades report with Lachlan Jeffery @LachlanJeffery

he Penrith Panthers Knock-On Effect NSW Cup side have suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season, falling 26-22 to the St George-Illawarra Dragons in a tight contest at BlueBet Stadium.

The Panthers were again missing a number of regulars to first grade due to Origin duty, however that didn’t seem to be an issue early when Soni Luke put in a simple grubber to score after only five minutes.

The good start was quickly undone though when Jack Gosiewski powered over the line for the Dragons’ first points.

The home side were next to score when a Luke grubber was pounced on by young fiveeighth Jack Cole to score his first try in the competition.

The Dragons took a 14-10 lead into half-time when they twice found space down the Panthers’ right edge.

It looked like the Dragons might run away with the match when Connor Muhleisen darted over from dummy-half almost immediately after the resumption, however the Panthers dug their way back into it.

Another of the fill-ins scored when Isaiah Iongi found space at dummy-half, before Preston

NORMAN’S

Riki charged over with 15 minutes to go, with Niwhai Puru converting to give Penrith the lead.

It wasn’t to be for the Panthers though as the Dragons again found space through the rightside defence, with Ethan ClarkWood scoring the match-winner with only three minutes left on the clock.

It wasn’t so close for the Jersey Flegg Panthers.

A poor miss early allowed the Dragons to take a 6-0 lead through Jack Bostock, with Bostock adding his second and Braxton Wallace scoring late in the half to take the scoreline to 18-0.

Too many handling errors hurt the Panthers as they were unable to build any real pressure and the Dragons ultimately capitalised with Alexander Lobb touching down in the lefthand corner.

The Panthers’ lone points came in the final seconds when Kristian Li Mai took an intercept and ran 30 metres to cut the final score to a more respectable 22-4.

Both grades travel to the nation’s capital in round 14, taking on the Raiders at Raiders Belconnen on Saturday afternoon.

Sunia Turuva in action for Penrith. Photo: NRL Images.

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R HE w NT sho i PA ime Ap 022 ED lf-t why in 2 SK rd ha lus SW MA kwa ined, p for N Aw pla play ex n’t 30 wo

YO U C A N P I C K U P T H E L AT E S T C O P Y O F T H E W E E K E N D E R AT T H E F O L LO W I N G LO C AT I O N S E AC H W E E K : CADDENS CADDENS NEWS (CADDENS CORNER) C A M B R I D G E PA R K CAMBRIDGE PARK NEWSAGENCY CELLARBATIONS CAMBRIDGE PARK FRIENDLY GROCER

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the western weekender » Friday, June 10, 2022

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